The Redhead's Green Thumb

I've MOVED!

2008-10-27T06:12:00.003-04:00

Hello hello! I've moved the blog posts over to http://www.threeravens.net - it is hanging out with the shop and other fun stuff. I liked the idea of having everything together, go me!

I hope to see you all over there, and I promise to be posting MUCH more often!

Thanks for reading,
Xiane

Ecover Responds to the Organic Consumers Association 1,4 Dioxane Test and TH Post : TreeHugger

2008-06-02T17:24:00.000-04:00

Ecover Responds to the Organic Consumers Association 1,4 Dioxane Test and TH Post : TreeHugger

Remember the big stink over the finding that many green cleansers have levels of 1,4 dioxane in them? Treehugger passed along a breaking story, and the response from readers was mixed. One of the companies named, Ecover, takes a moment to respond and Treehugger passes along this response.

Michael Pollan in the NYT Green Issue: Why Bother?

2008-04-20T17:02:00.000-04:00

Michael Pollan answers the Green question: Why bother?

"Why bother? That really is the big question facing us as individuals hoping to do something about climate change, and it’s not an easy one to answer. I don’t know about you, but for me the most upsetting moment in “An Inconvenient Truth” came long after Al Gore scared the hell out of me, constructing an utterly convincing case that the very survival of life on earth as we know it is threatened by climate change. No, the really dark moment came during the closing credits, when we are asked to . . . change our light bulbs. That’s when it got really depressing. The immense disproportion between the magnitude of the problem Gore had described and the puniness of what he was asking us to do about it was enough to sink your heart."

The Green Issue - Climate Change - Environment - Energy Efficiency - Consumption - New York Times

Dalai Lama interview

2008-04-11T19:22:00.000-04:00

NBC Nightly News: Interview with the Dalai Lama
This is a video from tonight's broadcasted interview with the Dalai Lama; please take a look?

Eco Blog

2008-04-11T17:46:00.000-04:00

Eco Blog
Here's a new blog with green living tips, and reviews/interviews with Eco-friendly Etsy shops - you should check it out and tell them that Xiane sent you!

The most amazing felted sculptures!

2008-04-10T15:55:00.003-04:00

Stephanie Metz was brought to my attention through a post at The Rotund. Her art, achieved by needle felting, is some of the most complex and interesting sculpture I've seen in a wool medium possibly ever. Please take a moment to check out her work!

Dealing With Dandelions... for Dinner! - LIME

2008-04-08T15:26:00.000-04:00

Dealing With Dandelions... for Dinner! - LIME

This is a nice, short article about my favourite foraged food: DANDELIONS! How eco-friendly is that - eating the weeds! :)

[yum]

My favourite way to prepare them is to sauté young greens in a small bit of olive oil and veggie broth, with onions, garlic, and cooked black eyed peas or navy beans. [mushrooms are good here, too.] Finish off with some apple cider vinegar to taste, and a touch of salt and pepper - mmmmmmm.

FTC Modifying Green Marketing and Packaging Guidelines: Sustainable is Good: The Sustainable Packaging Source

2008-04-04T06:26:00.000-04:00

FTC Modifying Green Marketing and Packaging Guidelines: Sustainable is Good: The Sustainable Packaging Source

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that it is updating and revising green marketing and packaging guidelines. The last changes were made in 1998 and as you can imagine, much has changed.

Earth Day Countdown: post #2 - Conveniently wasteful?

2008-03-23T22:47:00.005-04:00

Convenience items at the grocery store urge us to buy their products, designed to be used then tossed, so that we can make our lives oh-so-much easier - AND keep giving them money, of course.
Better to pay for something handcrafted and reusable!

These reusable "Swiffer-style" dry cloths are AWESOME. QuiltingMama makes these cloths from easily washable flannel - you get four in this listing for a reasonable price, and you can remove all the dust from your house without guilt. There are several other Etsy sellers who make different swiffer covers, too - check out littlebigmamma for reusable Wet Jet covers made from crocheted cotton!

Boxwoodgoods has my next suggestion elegantly and ecologically covered! Made from 100% organic flax and cleverly stamped to reveal the material used, these are a fantastic way for you and your family to wean yourselves from paper towels or paper napkins. These are also suitable as a housewarming, hostess, or wedding gift - no matter if your recipient is eco-friendly or not, they can't help to be charmed by these adorable and affordable linen napkins.
The same shop also offers cocktail napkins - and both sorts of napkins are currently available in flax or hemp/soy.

In this same spirit, using cloth towels in your kitchen is recommended, as well as washcloths - please consider that every disposable item you purchase has to end up somewhere... and that's most likely in the dump. Cloth dishtowels, napkins, and dusters will last a very long time and save you tons of money, too - so what's not to love?

earth day 2008 countdown!

2008-03-22T23:12:00.002-04:00

earth day 2008 countdown!
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

On April 22nd, Earth Day will be here again - a time to pay respects to where we live, the still green - yet suffering - planet that sustains us. I'm using this time before Earth Day to stage a countdown with a purpose - during this time I'll post some thoughts, advice, tips, or experiences about living a greener lifestyle in the most economical and practical of ways. This is the way that I strive to live, so I promise that my tips and suggestions will be things you can definitely accomplish in your own life!

I welcome comments and suggestions!

Today's kickoff tip: what do dingy copper-bottomed pots and cutting boards have in common? Both can easily be cleaned with the simple combo of salt and lemons!
To get your copper pots shining again, squeeze lemon juice on them, then add salt and scrub lightly. Your copper will come to life!
To clean and freshen your cutting boards, use a lemon half and some kosher salt to scrub lightly. Stains and smells will vanish and your kitchen will smell great, too!
While I'm talking about cutting boards, I should mention that my recommended cutting board material is bamboo - light, easy to take care of, and sustainable. A little oil will keep it in shape for a very long time.
I'll have some more posts about the amazing power of lemons further along in this series! Stay tuned to this blog for more!

Who makes your organic food products? You might be surprised!

2008-03-14T15:18:00.000-04:00

GOOD 009 - Features - Buying Organic

What, you thought all those companies that sold organic food were solo ventures? Maybe at one time...

[this wasn't news to me, but it might be to plenty of my readers, so I thought I'd pass it along.]

First U.S. Organic Standard for Beauty & Personal Care. Right.

2008-03-06T20:11:00.003-05:00

Sustainable Is Good reports that "representatives from a number of the leading companies in the industry have come together to create OASIS, the first U.S. industry standard for certifying organic cosmetic products.

OASIS (Organic and sustainable industry standards) is a collaborative effort between a number of companies including Estee Lauder, Aveda, L'Oreal, Private Label Select, Oh Oh Organics, Hain Celestial Group and others. The organization is a registered 501c 6 Mutual Benefit Trade Association designed to represent the concerns and goals of companies that make sustainable and organic products for the beauty and personal care industry. The organization has 30 founding member companies which include both product and ingredient manufacturers as well as distributors.

Fueled by the lack of U.S. industry standards and the increased harmonization efforts of similar policies and standards in the EU, OASIS is aimed at providing clear industry standards. "We (US beauty industry) needed to have a voice in this discussion," said Tim Kapsner a Senior Research Scientist with Aveda. "

Now, the irony of this makes me want to VOMIT.
Why, do you ask? Well, I don't know - maybe it's that neither Estée Lauder nor L'Oreal will sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, which calls for the removal of toxins and potential carcinogens from personal care products. Both companies use nanoparticles in their cosmetics, which are potentially very dangerous. [look for a future post about this.] In June 2004, Estee Lauder was named one of the liable parties in two lawsuits involving hazardous waste in two of New York's landfills. * Some of the companies that L'Oreal owns are big producers of very questionable cosmetics, and L'Oreal tests on animals. I know that Estee Lauder owns Aveda, and L'Oreal has The Body Shop, so they've got a vested interest in this either way... but c'mon. How am I supposed to take this seriously?

* http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/profile.cfm?id=220&MajorSub=1&CompanyName=Aveda

FTC to Hold Forum on Green Packaging : Sustainable Is Good

2008-02-28T01:47:00.001-05:00

FTC to Hold Forum on Green Packaging
Courtesy of Sustainable is Good blog:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is hosting a public workshop to examine developments in green packaging claims and the consumer perception of those claims. The workshop is part of the agency's regulatory review of the "Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims," commonly known as the Green Guides.

The workshop and the results of the discussion from the event will be of great interest to those following field of green/sustainable packaging. Since the Green Guides were last revised in 1998 there has been exponential growth in the use of green claims relating to packaging.

The FTC recognizes sellers and marketers frequently use terms addressed in the Green Guides, such as "recyclable, recycled content, biodegradable, degradable, compostable, or refillable," to claim their packaging is green. Companies are also now using terms like "sustainable," and "renewable," which are not even contained in the Green Guides.

The FTC is the federal regulatory body responsible for oversight of claims companies use to sell products and resulting issues of consumer perception.

The workshop will also examine the increase in third-party certification programs purporting to verify the positive environmental impact of product packaging. Major verification programs used in packaging currently include FSC and SFI both dealing with paper/wood usage.

The FTC's Green Guides and Packaging workshop is scheduled for April 30, 2008 in Washington, DC.

022008 treasury - egcg!

2008-02-20T18:24:00.003-05:00

022008 treasury - egcg!
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

The ever-wonderful LusciousNaturals snagged the Etsy Green and Clean Guild a treasury filled with our fantastic bath and body products! My only regret is that Screengrab didn't work so well in capturing the whole treasury... so I guess you'll just have to go there yourself to see it all! ;)

Direct link: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=29672

I've been lucky enough to be in two treasuries this week so far, both going on right now. The other one features one of my first yarn appearances in a treasury! Yay!

Magickal Realism › All About Chemistry

2008-02-12T02:28:00.000-05:00

Magickal Realism ›

- Second, this whole fuss about the the words chemical and natural. Both words should have meaning, and both words have been reduced to nothing more than pseudo-political buzzwords. It’s annoying, as a lot of people are going to get seriously hurt and likely have been seriously hurt by operating on the following incorrect assumptions:

1. If it’s chemical, it’s “bad.”

2. If it’s natural, it’s “safe.” -

Please take a look at the rest of her entry for some sensible debunking of the idea that all chemicals are bad/everything natural is good - as well as many other thoughtful topics!

KNITSTER - Look, a FO!

2008-02-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

KNITSTER - Look, a FO!

For those who don't know, I also blog - erratically - at Knitster.org! This post is about my finish on the perennially popular Calorimetry, with a promise to blather on more in the future about spinning.

EGCG at The Indie Path!

2008-02-09T18:35:00.000-05:00

The Indie Path has been kind enough to do a week-long feature on EGCG! If you haven't seen The Indie Path before, you'll want to check out their website, which is filled with wonderful "Indieviews" with independent artists, artisans, craftspeople.
This week is an excellent chance to learn more about the people who make up Etsy Green and Clean Guild, and see what has motivated them to take on the mantle of creating superior handcrafted bath and body products!

The indieviews start here:
http://theindiepath.blogspot.com/2008/02/indieview-with-etsy-green-and-clean.html

SoapStore:
http://theindiepath.blogspot.com/2008/02/indieview-with-egcg-member-lissa-lee-of.html

LusciousNaturals:
http://theindiepath.blogspot.com/2008/02/indieview-with-egcg-member-cassidy.html

But keep checking back each day this week to read more about EGCG at The Indie Path! http://theindiepath.com/

New banner and colours!

2008-02-05T04:02:00.001-05:00

Check it out and let me know what you think! I have a new banner, which finally incorporates some of the excellent art that Bo of Larcus.etsy.com made for me. I've been rockin' it on my business cards for a while, but I just wasn't able to make a banner or graphics that I liked that used the image until tonight.
I changed the colours of my blog to match.

Let me know what you think!

Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn - Brooklyn-based Etsy Raises $27 Million in Fourth Round (DumboNYC.com)

2008-02-01T04:58:00.000-05:00

Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn - Brooklyn-based Etsy Raises $27 Million in Fourth Round (DumboNYC.com)

Two cool things about this link - one: that a blog about the neighborhood in which Etsy is located gave them a great mention about their newest round of venture capital, and two: one of my photos was used to illustrate the post! The photo is from the trip that Rob and I took to Etsy Labs back in June 2007. Interestingly, that trip also yielded a photo that was used for the listing for the New Yorker Hotel by Schmap!

State to probe development of 'green' chemicals - Los Angeles Times

2008-02-01T04:15:00.000-05:00

State to probe development of 'green' chemicals - Los Angeles Times: "In an effort to reduce industry's reliance on toxic compounds, state environmental officials today will lay out a framework for transforming California into a leader in the development and use of 'green' chemicals.

The proposals are an attempt to change the approach to environmental health from a chemical-by-chemical squabble to a wholesale shift in the way industry manufactures compounds used in products as varied as prescription drugs, plastic food packaging, pesticides, cosmetics and household cleaners."

It's a step in the right direction, hopefully. Leave it to California to lead the way.

Bo, Melissa, Xiane at the Charlotte Roller Derby

2008-01-28T12:00:00.001-05:00

Bo, Melissa, Xiane at the Charlotte Roller Derby
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Look at us, in the VIP section! Wooo! You see here:
Bo of Larcus
Melissa of Snitches Get Stitches and Coffin Color
Xiane of Xiane ThreeRavens and Coffin Color!

This was the first time that any of us had been to the Roller Derby, and it was a blast! The Charlotte team kicked butt, although they were narrowly defeated at the end of the bout. The best part, though?

MY MONKEYSIS was a guest referee! WOOOOOOO! [she's usually reffing with DC Rollergirl, but I hear that Charm City will be hearing the dulcet strains of her glowing whistle soon!]

It was a damn good time and we will definitely be going back. We actually saw quite a few people we knew in one way or another, particularly from vending at Snug Harbor. It was great!

I'd recommend checking out your local roller derby team[s], because it really is a blast, and the derby girls are a great inspiration to anyone interested in DIY. Seriously.

"Where have you been?"

2008-01-20T07:20:00.000-05:00

Hi there, internet. *waves*

I'm sorry that I've been terribly, horribly quiet over here. It isn't you, it's me. Seriously.
The holidays kicked my booty in the best of ways. That was a mixed bag of good for my business/bad for maintaining blogs/connections/friendships - luckily, everyone's so understanding in my life, I've been able to win forgiveness. :)

Also, I discovered that the reason I've been so run-down feeling lately is more legitimate than I'd realized, when I got a bloodwork test confirming that I have an iron count of FOUR. Anemic? You betcha. This explained SO much about my lethargy, forgetfulness/lack of concentration, brittle nails, overall weakness. I'm working toward getting that repaired, with vegetarian sources of iron and a hefty supplement that contains two kinds of iron, vitamin C and Ester-C, and B12. Yay! Huge horse pills! I added that to my regimen of meds that I'm taking to help me breathe better. I feel like an old lady with all these pills.

Now that I'm getting better, look for more updates. It's really hard to post new products or photos when I don't wake up early enough to take photos in daylight! O_o

I've missed you, internet. I hope you've been well!

Please come to the Green and Clean Guild's Online Trunk Show!

2007-12-14T05:06:00.000-05:00

Etsy Green and Clean Guild Trunk Show, Friday, December 14, at 6 pm EST.

Never been to an online trunk show? Well, never fear, we’ve got the details for you:

What do you need to do?
To get there:
Go to Etsy Virtual Labs:

Click on whatever room has the most people.

Guess what - you’re in!*

Online trunk shows are very different from chat, so the practices are different. So please, cooperate with these guidelines:
1. Every seller presenting at the trunk show will do a short presentation: who they are, what their stuff is, and no more than 3 items that their shop offers.
2. Please jot down your questions during the presentation - AFTER the presentation, there will be a Q&A
for all sellers.

It’s preferred that you keep all extraneous talk focused on the trunk show. However, stuff comes up. If you need technical assistance or have an immediate issue during the presentations, please privately message xiane or magickalrealism with any questions.

* You have to have an Etsy account. However, that's really quick and easy and RECOMMENDED if you don't have one already! You'll love Etsy!

***

Seriously, guys - this is a great way to check out the amazing bath and body goodies that my teammates and I make and sell on Etsy. I'd love to see some of you there, if you're able with such short notice!

Have an Organic, Recycled, Eco-Friendly Holiday!

2007-12-02T19:51:00.000-05:00

What better time to support green businesses with handcrafted eco-friendly items than during the Winter holidays? It doesn't matter which holiday is the one you celebrate, there is no better gift to give than one that not only will delight the recipient, but will help support an indie business that is trying to do the right thing by the environment. You might even be able to teach a reluctant-to-change relative that Green Goods are awesome in their own right!

So what am I recommending this year for your shopping and gifting pleasure? Of course I went to Etsy for my choices - it's the BEST place to find your handmade goodies! An easy way to get started is to do a search with the tag "ecoetsy" - that's a Street Team dedicated to spreading the word about recycling, reducing, and recycling. You can find a quick list of their shops here: http://team.etsy.com/profilest/eco.shtml.

Let's start with a gift recommendation for the kids in your life - I mean, why not get them on the eco-path early, right?

Here's a wonderful organic toddler's tee from the shop ediblebaby. She features some of her original drawings on organic cotton tees - a wonderful gift, and at fair prices too! She also has biodegradable packaging available.

Oh, man. I really want to give these to everyone I know! Remake does all sorts of recycled wares that everybody needs - little notebooks, labels, envelopes, cards - and with incredible style, too. You really can't have enough notebooks for everyday life, at least not when they're made from salvaged material that would have otherwise gone to a landfill. These are perfect for your journaling friends, or your obsessive note-taking Mom. [or me, hint hint!]

Your best friend, Mom, or Mom-In-Law really wants this. Seriously.
This bag is handmade from sustainable cork by feltsewwhimsical - all harvested cork grows back in 8-10 years to a reharvestable state, so the trees are not killed to get the material. The craftsmanship on this bag is impeccable - it even has a removable bottom insert so that the bag won't sag! Cork will protect bag contents against the weather, too, so this bag is highly useable. How lovely!

rls2131 makes delightful picture frames, completely assembled from recycled material. Each one is one of a kind and made by hand by Rebekah - and she even gives you the details about where her materials for each item came from! I really liked this whimsical Road Signs Frame, but everything in her shop is just as fun, and you're guaranteed to find something for that difficult-to-buy-for pal or relative here.

Need more sustainable luxuries? Oh, you know that skiingweaver can fulfill that desire! This particular handwoven scarf was made with beautiful bamboo fiber and would look marvelous around anyone's neck... the rest of her shop is filled with other lovelies made from bamboo, wool, and other sustainable materials. I just want to touch all of it - curse the Internet for not being more fiber-fondling-friendly!

Mill ends? Oh yes.
sarahbirdspins makes handspun yarn from recycled mill ends - wool that would otherwise have been discarded. It comes back to life under her capable hands into skeins of wook just begging to be made into pretty things or to be tucked into a package with some bamboo needles for an aspiring knitter. Sarah also makes handmade paper beads - perfect for embellishing your projects or even your holiday packages!

I think that this might become a regular installment - what do you think, dear readers? Let me know! Also, I welcome your recommendations for other eco-friendly Etsy shops that I should cover.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that if you're looking for organic bath and body goodies... ahem. Ahem. :D

Featured on Treehugger!

2007-11-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

I feel so honoured to have my Atomic Bath Salts featured on Treehugger this week! They're with several other interesting-looking coffee-based bath and body items, keeping classy company! I get so excited when I see my products in features like this... they make me feel like I'm really making an impression. Yay!

As a quick aside, I apologise for my radio silence lately. Getting ready for the holiday season has been kicking my metaphorical rump, let me tell you. However, look for me to be making much more regular updates starting right away!

And how have all of you been? :)

electric forest closeup from top

2007-10-22T04:49:00.001-04:00

electric forest closeup from top
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Another fun fun yarn - this one is all shades of green and teal blended with burgundy/purple. This is burgundy and green rambouillet wool from http://sarahwood3587.etsy.com that I spun almost in one night. It is lovely and soft!
I think that after this, I'll begin to list my yarn on etsy. What do you all think? I think it is good enough! And for me to say that - well, I'm pretty confident in my skills now. I think I was born to spin. I took to it so easily! Plus, it relaxes me, and if you know me then you know I need that. Ha!

fluffy tufts closeup

2007-10-22T04:44:00.001-04:00

fluffy tufts closeup
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

So this is what I have been playing with on my drop spindle - a crazy blend of random fibers I've had in a bag, including locks that were dyed but left all curly and together. Parts of this skein are fluffy and thick, others are thin and candy-striped. I'm proud of it!

Midge's Mind: WARNING: this post is my version of war and peace.

2007-10-16T13:51:00.000-04:00

Midge's Mind: WARNING: this post is my version of war and peace.

Everyone who does craft shows has a bad one. What if the bad one is your first? How do you gauge your successes and failures in that environment without getting so discouraged that you throw in the towel? This blogger, Margaux Lange, asks her readers to help her figure this out. The comments are worth reading, too!

Set up from Something Simple Trunk Show

2007-09-30T14:15:00.001-04:00

Set up from Something Simple
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

I was a part of the Something Simple Trunk Show in Fort Mill, SC, on Saturday. It was a different sort of event from the types I've vended before - more mainstream-oriented artists [kinda neat to be included!], and in a barn at a really cool park. We even got to see people riding horses there!
The barn was an interesting venue, rather appealing once we had our tables set up. Oh, and they provided many many tables and chairs, so all I had to bring was my wares and tablecloths! What a lovely thing.

The show was unfortunately slow, due in part to recent changes in the area - new subdivisions and streets led to some chaos - and in part to competition from some other local arts-oriented events. No matter; I sold a few things, enjoyed the atmosphere, talked to pleasant customers and vendors, and generally had a nice day.

It did kick me in the rump about having enough stock for the upcoming Crafting Patch Market, though! I've been down for the count lately with a lovely bout of bronchitis that I came home with from the EGCG Trunk Show at EtsyLabs, and I've been neglecting building stock because I've just felt weak and useless. Now that I'm starting to feel like myself again, I can see where I need to get on the ball and catch back up. Ugh.

So between now and Oct 13th, I need to make more of all my Lip Bliss balms - including bringing back the almighty CLOVE one! - as well as more sugar scrubs, massage oils, eye pillows, and Apple and Herb vinegar. [my surprising best-seller!] That's not even including the needle felted items I'd love to have, and handspun if I'm lucky. [ha!] Riiiiight, Xiane. Riiiiight.

TAG you're it!

2007-09-19T00:07:00.000-04:00

I was tagged by EarthCharms!

Here’s the deal: I get to tell you 6 random things about myself, and then in turn, tag 6 others to do the same. This vicious cycle continues forever. Here we go!

1. If there are three things on my plate, they CAN NOT be eaten together. No mixing of the peas and the mashed potatoes, no no no. However, if the food is a mix of things, like a salad or a stew, I must combine bites into the tastiest possible. Also, I have a eating hierarchy: the best food item first, then the entree, then second best item. Yes, I'm weird.

2. I hate pie.

3. When I was wee, my grandmother would often babysit me by taking me to work with her. She worked as a paging operator at Johns Hopkins Hospital, so I spent a lot of time "helping" her page doctors and running around the tunnels there.

4. I read so fast that I couldn't get an accurate measurement from the reading speed and comprehension test that the school administered. That plays hell on my literary budget, let me tell you. I'm always buying books!

5. I randomly hitchhiked to NYC from Baltimore with my friend Shawn when I was 20. We got almost no rides, so we ended up walking a HUGE portion of the trip, and then all over Manhattan. When I got home, my feet had blisters all over them and I hobbled around for a week.

6. I first sang solo in public with my "Folk Rock" class in high school. It was a class that basically taught music theory while also teaching you how to be in a rock band. It was effin' awesome, and I credit my teacher Mr. Huber with instilling in me the idea that I really could be a musical performer if I wanted to - something that served me very well with The Violet Dawning!

There's my random info. In turn, I'll tag:

Ninja Fetus
Sara GirlsCanTell
Karen Zazazu
Carla Supastarr [if she has time!]
Tracy SummerSea
Dori Faerwear

Looking forward to seeing what other random facts are revealed!

Fort Cloudy and Ninja Fetus at the Trunk Show!

2007-09-03T00:15:00.001-04:00

Hangin with Xiane!
Originally uploaded by Fort Cloudy.

My favourite Baltimorean-on-Etsy, Fort Cloudy and her traveling companion, the Ninja Fetus hangin' out with me in the DJ booth at this past Friday's EGCG Trunk Show!

I'll post more about the show and my adventures getting there and participating, but I wanted to share this blurry cuteness with you!

[I blatantly stole this from Fort Cloudy's Flickr stream!]

A six-minute eyewitness sketch

2007-08-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

A six-minute eyewitness sketch
Originally uploaded by RobWhite.

This is my husband at work, as seen through my interpretive eyes.

Some of the choice tags that he used with this drawing?

Underpants
Outerpants
Etsysense
omglockthis

no glasses

2007-08-16T22:04:00.001-04:00

no glasses
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Just a shot of me.

There's this thing that people do on Etsy, "Self Portrait Thursday." This was one of my submissions. I'm rockin' Coffin Color's Jack'o'Lantern orange eyeshadow, too.

Dear USPS, stop toying with me.

2007-08-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

I want to break up with you, but you're the only cost-efficient game in town. You tease and you taunt - one moment you are cheap. The next, you invoke arcane guidelines of conduct and throw my known world into a tizzy. Worst of all, you've become inconsistent in delivery. Most days my packages reach their destination, but occasionally you throw them back at me like I'd bought you cheap perfume.

This is hurting me in the wallet and the heart. Please be gentle with me, we've been together for so long! Remember the days when I would visit you every night, hopefully staring into the darkness of my PO Box for signs of a visit from you? Let's recapture that. I'm willing to start over if you are - just please don't make my packages suffer any more because of our poor relationship.

Your long-time, frustrated girl,
Xiane

You can't save them all, but that's no reason not to try.

2007-08-11T14:57:00.000-04:00

It's true, I can't save all the stray animals, nor all the abandoned or abused ones in the world. I can't even do it in my own city.
That doesn't mean that I can't help.

I had been putting off making this commitment until Threeravens.net was more financially solvent, more established. But you know what? Looking at the photos of the sweet puppies currently being fostered by luna2005.etsy.com, and the sweet face of my wonderful and loving Squeegee Cat, I know that it's time. I can't afford not to do this, because my heart won't let me behave otherwise.

This is to let everyone know that not only can I do this, but you can too. I'm going to be donating 10% of every sale from Threeravens.net to the Cleveland County Humane Society. They are a fantastic group of animal lovers, and their shelter is no-kill. It's where I found Squeegee, and I can testify that these folk take excellent care of their charges. They are particularly good to cats, which are treated rather shabbily in my area. [people in the Carolinas seem to favour dogs. Black cats are treated the worst of all.]

My message today doesn't stop there. If you love animals, you can help in your area! Not everyone can foster or even adopt an animal, but that doesn't mean that you can't stop in and spend time with them. Even small contributions can help, too. To find the shelters in your area, take a look at petfinder.com. To help feed animals every day with one simple click, go to theanimalrescuesite.com.

Thank you for reading this. Please take some time today to hug your pet for me, if you have one. I'm a big softie, and I love them all.

The time has come.

2007-08-10T19:47:00.000-04:00

It has finally happened; the time is here.

What time, you ask?

The time to break my links list into further organization.

I knew it was just a matter of time. There are so many lovely Etsy bloggers, new tips and tricks collections, and eco-friendly blogs coming into my field of vision - I have listed what I think is the best of the best, but the list is still growing unwieldy and needs to be broken into smaller lists.
I think this is a great thing! Even better, I'm enlisting YOU to help me. What blogs/pages/services do you think I should be listing here? I can't guarantee that I'll include every link offered, but I trust your taste and I think you'll point me to only the best. :)

So hit me up with those links! And look for some reorganization coming over this weekend!

egcg trunk show

2007-08-08T00:30:00.001-04:00

egcg trunk show
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

I am a proud member and organizer for the Etsy Green and Clean Guild, a street team created to help soapmakers, bath and body people, and scent gurus get the word out about their businesses and Etsy as a whole.
On August 31st 2007, EGCG is invading Brooklyn NY by TAKING OVER the Etsy Labs for a trunk show that will be chock full of amazing products for people to check out up close and personal, and even purchase! We will have giveaways, tasty beverages, and even myself as your personal DJ, spinning 80s tunes for that party mood. We will also have a tester bar where you can try out various products - almost like a mini-spa!

If you'd like to attend the Trunk Show, please send an email to RSVP@etsy.com and let them know - and let me know, too, because I would LOVE to see you there!

Make your own reusable produce bag!

2007-08-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

From Circle of Life: Crafty Arts Projects, instructions on how to make your own reusable produce bags out of tulle! Crafty, indeed.

Are ceramics eco-friendly?

2007-07-29T23:35:00.000-04:00

one black bird: the *green* ware question.

This is something I never knew to think about, and although the essay is long, it is extremely informative!

Our oceans are turning into plastic...are we?

2007-07-22T13:16:00.000-04:00

Best Life Magazine: Our oceans are turning into plastic...are we?

Be ready to be very, very depressed when you read this. However, PLEASE read it. Then post about it. And post your ideas for how to eliminate plastic from our lives. Things as simple as refusing to use plastic bags and choosing to use your own cloth ones can make a difference. According to this article, "only 3 - 5% of plastics are recycled in any way." That's frightening.

Look around your house. Examine your life. What do you have around you now that could be made from another material than plastic? Do you recycle the plastics that you have?

There's also reference to a book that I'm in the process of getting to read: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. The Amazon.com blurb has this to say about the book:
"Paper or plastic? Neither, say William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Why settle for the least harmful alternative when we could have something that is better--say, edible grocery bags! In Cradle to Cradle, the authors present a manifesto calling for a new industrial revolution, one that would render both traditional manufacturing and traditional environmentalism obsolete."

This is the kind of thinking and action that we need. Please take some time today to read the article and look over the link to the book - and maybe pass along this message?

phantom limb syndrome

2007-07-16T11:14:00.000-04:00

what is essential
and what is lacking
are not always the same -
however,
that does not negate the pain.

I miss music.
Not listening to music - there's no way that will ever stop happening, although it isn't the lifeline that it was for me at one point, when I was fresh and unknown in Charlottesville. Then, music was one of my only friends, the thing I relied on to commiserate with me and my feelings. Now, I look at it as an old and dear companion, and I often know what it will say before I ask.

But this is about the things that come along *with* the music. There's that feeling that one gets before a band starts playing, when you're in a crowd yet alone when the lights go down... a sense of anticipation that is magnified by how strongly this band has gotten under your skin.
And there's a particular sense of belonging that I had as someone who took the time to seek out, support, and disseminate this music to other people - something that made me feel important, yes, but something that also made me feel like I was doing a Good Thing. I was helping people who meant the world to me, and I was perhaps giving someone who was like me - someone who the music spoke to in the best of ways - another voice, another empathetic friend for the times when one needs a friend most.

I'm a nostalgic person by nature. It is in my personality to hold a small torch for That What Was, and I'm usually fairly inured to that aspect of my personality. However, it occasionally gets to me, and today is one of those days. Today, I'm dreaming of a place where I can stand in a crowd and cheer as a wash of guitars sweeps over me, and my eyes are dazzled by spotlights bouncing from instruments and microphones. Today, I wish that I was dancing in the front row with my friends, with a band that I adore. Today, I'm missing rock'n'roll for all it's worth.

Who knew that amber could be so complicated?

2007-07-12T22:26:00.001-04:00

amber resin
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Today, I had one of those really interesting conversations that sometimes happens at the Etsy Forums - someone posted with a request for "raw amber incense" and it sparked a wonderful debate on what exactly it was that the poster was really looking for.
Liquidambar Orientalis, sometimes used in incense:
[see the first photo; also known as storax]

"Indian" amber resin, which is what's commonly sold as amber resin [for scent]

[from http://www.somaluna.com/ ]

Here's a piece of "raw" amber of the type used in jewelry:

[from http://homepage.mac.com/shelobmarian/ ]

And here's ambergris, an ancient scent additive and fixative, especially in perfumery, which is exuded by whales:

[from http://www.ambergris.net.nz ]

As you can see, they are all very different, yet their common names are close enough to cause some serious confusion, even in a customer who has previously purchased the sort of "amber" that they're looking for!

The moral of this story? Probably that you should make sure that you're dealing with a reputable and knowledgeable herbalist, bath and body person, incense maker, perfumer, or lapidary worker/jeweler before you make a purchase of anything titled "amber" - or you could end up with whale vomit! [okay, not likely with the price difference, but you have to admit that it sounded alarming!]

Home and Garden: 35 Uses for Plastic Milk Jugs

2007-07-10T17:31:00.000-04:00

Home and Garden: 35 Uses for Plastic Milk Jugs

I snagged this one from The Worsted Witch - lots and lots of great ideas for the gardener... or really, anyone.

squeegee cat

2007-07-06T14:10:00.001-04:00

squeegee is insane
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

If you do such things, please think good thoughts for my Squeegee cat. He had to take a trip to the vet yesterday, because he's suffering from the oh-too-common feline UTI - luckily, I've had a cat who went through the same thing, so I recognized some of the behaviors before the infection got too out of hand. He's on antibiotics now - evidently strawberry flavoured, which he surprisingly likes just fine - and I've taken away the kibble and started adding some extra water to his wet food, just to up the water intake. He's been pretty cheerful, if a tad lethargic, but I can tell that he's still working through his illness.
I think the saddest part is that he didn't sleep with us last night, because he was either moping in the office or scratching in the litter box all night. He did come in for morning cuddles, and that made me feel a little better. *sigh* I'm a worrier, because I just adore this silly cat.. so please, send good thoughts his way.

10 Ways To Simplify Your Life

2007-07-03T11:32:00.000-04:00

Recipe for Simplicity - Natural Life Magazine January/February 2006

You might notice a few changes...

2007-07-03T00:41:00.000-04:00

I'm looking for feedback here, faithful and friendly readers, and let me tell you why!

I was lucky enough to participate in the online portion of the Global Microbrand: Using the Web to Stay Small whilst Selling all over the World workshop given by Antonio Gould and hosted by Etsy Labs. Why do I mention this? Well, I was even luckier - my shop and business was chosen to be the example for demonstrating what I can improve, and what I'm doing right, in regards to my Microbrand. I learned quite the armful of useful tips, and found that although I'm doing some things right, there is *always* room for improvement.
My first plan of attack? Well, it is actually something I've had in the back of my head for a while, but I'd been dragging my feet over. You see, if you know anything about me, you know that I wear all black most of the time, and I adore purple and red. However, no matter what I prefer on my body, black was doing me no favours as a background color for my websites. I have some problems reading black text on a white background, as I feel it to be too bright for my eyes - but people have complained that the bright text on a dark background wasn't working for them. That was a very important fact to have driven home tonight, and I've responded by changing my template here. Where do you come in? I need you to let me know what you think! I absolutely can't abide looking at a white background, it gives me headaches... so this was a compromise. Can my dear readers deal with it?

Just as an aside: I feel so lucky. I can't stress that enough. I am privileged to have access to a wonderful site where I can sell my wares AND that offers invaluable information for *free* - and they go out of their way to create selling opportunities like the trunk shows, too! I intend to take advantage of all of these gifts and thank them by bringing as much business back to Etsy as I can. I love that we all win this way!

Just to reassure you, as I sign off for the evening: I will be redoing my website, too. It suffers from the same curse - black-background-itis. That needs to change!

Thank you, New York!

2007-06-22T17:34:00.001-04:00

Thank you, New York!
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

It took me all week to get around to blogging about my trip to NYC, how lame is that? I'm a slacker.

Honestly, the week has been a huge attempt to get back to reality, and also to get my feet to stop swelling. We did SO much walking, my feet protested heartily!
Where did we walk to, you ask? Well, with the help of the subway system, we made [many] appearances at ETSY LABS [yay] and Renegade Craft Fair [where we bought lots of swag, and then were stormed on by angry Brooklyn skies] - and we met LOTS of wonderful Etsy people, to the point where it's surprising that I can remember all the names, but they are all such vibrant personalities that there's no way that I can forget them! We ate tons of delicious food, drank too much coffee, stayed up too late, and spent too much money on cute things. Wheee!
I'll post a couple of other photos with some other tales from our trip in a bit. You can also come check out my album of photos here.

2007-06-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

So this is where I'll be this weekend, meeting and greeting the Etsy folk who have made it out to celebrate the Birth Of Etsy! I hope to see many of you there - it's my first trip to Etsy Labs! Also, I'll be checking out the Renegade Craft Fair, also in Brooklyn. LOTS of awesome sellers will be there, and I hope to come away with much booty and also some new friendships. Rarrr!

It will also be Rob's first time to NYC, and oooooh are we excited! I'm an old hand at navigating the Big Apple, but there's always new things to try and see. We'll be staying at the New Yorker Hotel in Midtown, and using the subway an awful lot, I think.

SO exciting!

Xiane @ Rockabilly BBQ, June 2nd, Charlotte NC

2007-06-05T21:31:00.001-04:00

xianebbq2
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Vending with Snitches Get Stitches and our team effort, Coffin Color Mineral Eyeshadow - sure does seem like my table got colourful for this event! ;)
* * * * * * * * *
So this weekend was yet another learning experience in vending.
Honestly, I didn't expect to sell anything of my own, hence the scanty table setup of my products, and the highlighting of the Coffin Colors products. This was also our opportunity to debut our eyeshadows to a crowd and see the reactions of the shoppers. I'm here to tell you that it was a ROARING success, and I'm SO thrilled that people seemed to really like them!

Melissa and I had a blast anyway, and I think she ended up doing very well. I managed to get the flax-filled eyepillows and a new shower gel ready in time, as well as two new Lip Bliss Lip Balms - strawberry and coffee! Here's hoping that some of those sell on Etsy soon, as I need seed money for other things. [meeple!]

In other news, I got TWO NEW ORDERS OF FIBER in [YAY] from the ever-fabulous sarahwood3587.etsy.com.
I'm currently working on a green and burgundy selection - I'll put up photos when I have a chance. I'm spinning this one up in a thinner version than the Monster Mash - the plan is for now to ply it, but we'll see how I feel as I get farther into the spinning.

Man. I really really need to update my website. O_o Procrastination, thy name is Xiane.

monster mash roving and yarn

2007-05-25T11:47:00.001-04:00

monster mash roving and yarn
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Hand-dyed roving came from sarahwood3587.etsy.com! I'm spinning this with a top-whorl drop spindle, and it is coming out very well. This is a gift for someone who I think doesn't check this blog, so shhhhh, keep it a secret! ;)
I'm calling it "monster mash" for obvious-to-me reasons. The colours are even brighter in person!

Yes, the spinning is taking over a lot of my time, but it's all time that I HAVE to pay attention to other things. I did almost all of this during the season finale of LOST, for example. I can't pay as close attention to other things when I knit.
Loving this yarn! It is rambouillet combed top, and came in at 5.2 ounces. It is ridiculously soft and it will be difficult to give up!

x and bencandance jewelry

2007-05-25T00:21:00.001-04:00

xandbencandance
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

I buy a lot of things on Etsy - probably more than I should, considering that I'm a struggling entrepreneur, so to speak - but I really love the things I buy and that I'm helping to support other struggling entrepreneurs!
That being said, you'll be seeing my reviews of the wonderful things on which I spend my hard-earned cash, at least from time to time. Today is the first, and I'd like to point you to BenCanDance, a clever artist with nimble fingers, especially when it comes to polymer clay. Whimsical, fun, insightful, or silly - there's something there for you. I was lucky enough to find a COFFEE pendant that I snatched up, and ended up with a delightful butterscotch pudding box pendant as well!

Obiviously, you should pop right over there and check it out. :)

in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni

2007-05-22T13:10:00.000-04:00

We enter the circle at night and are consumed by fire.

skein spindle x

2007-05-19T03:20:00.001-04:00

skein spindle x
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

If you follow the Self Portrait Thursday posts on Flickr, you've seen this already, but for those of you who don't I wanted to share my excitement about my first finished skein of handspun!
The spindle came from the ever helpful castleman, who hand painted the celtic knotwork on the top of my spindle! It is a joy to use, because it is so pretty.
The roving was some that I purchased from The Flying Ewe, originally to needle felt. I had more than I'd ever enjoy felting, and plenty for a decent sized skein, so I decided to spin it. This was technically my second singles ever - the first was from the small bag of fiber that Rita of Castleman so kindly included in my order. The purple fiber is hand dyed and 85% wool/15% mohair. It feels lovely. I took the time to block it tonight, and although I overspun it, I think it will make a fun scarf or something else that I can wear and delight in as my first spinning project, complete.

I may be a dirty spinning addict.

happy viola

2007-05-17T12:41:00.001-04:00

happy viola
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

I spent a little time yesterday taking photos of different plants in my garden.I really do love every little green being, and I think my photos show why. *grin*
If you want to see all of them, you can here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiane/

ps to Sandra Eileen - I've never had the space to grow lilac, though I swore to my husband just yesterday that I *will* have some once we buy a house. Right now I just have a balcony... but one day there will be acreage, oh yes. :)

EtsyAlchemy.com :: Index

2007-05-17T00:16:00.000-04:00

EtsyAlchemy.com :: Index

While Etsy works on the Alchemy process, we can carry on here. Awesome!

Georgia Wildfires Contributing to Haze in the Charlotte Area

2007-05-16T13:01:00.000-04:00

Georgia Wildfires Contributing to Haze in the Charlotte Area

This is so sad. The smoke from the fires HUNDREDS of miles away is all over my little town near the NC/SC border. There's a palpable haze over everything and the air is heavy and strong with the smell of smoke. I went on the balcony to check on the garden and it enveloped me and sent me back, sneezing.
Being a good plant mother, I reassured all my charges that they were safe and I would protect them. :)

I hope it rains on Georgia and Florida soon. Rain here would be nice, too.

Tagged!

2007-05-12T01:59:00.000-04:00

I was tagged for this quite popular meme by the interesting and talented Hojpoj.

Here's the gist:
Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who are tagged have to write their 7 things on their blog. ~~Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment to tell them they have been tagged and to read your blog!~~ I'm changing this part, simply because so many people that I know have already done it. If you'd like to take part in this meme, please do so freely!

I used to be a blonde. [gasp!] Now I seem to have a preponderance of brown and grey hairs under all the henna.

I used to sing in a band. I still sing all the time - car, shower, house, grocery store...I used to walk to work every morning singing.

I once walked almost the entire way from Baltimore MD to NYC.

I read very, very fast. Given a reading test in high school, I scored off their charts. I don't skip words, either. I am a voracious reader!

I wear almost exclusively black clothing, but I adore bright colours of all shades.

I learned to sew when I was 8 or so. I had a mini Singer that I made doll clothes on until I graduated to the big machine and clothing for myself.

My favourite flowers are lilacs. For all the plants I've grown, I've never had a lilac shrub of my own. Sadness!

That's my list! Thanks for the opportunity to ramble on about myself, Hojpoj!

ElizabethHand.com

2007-05-11T10:59:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth Hand

She's got some new books coming out, plus a couple that I somehow missed!
BLACK LIGHT(1999)
BIBLIOMANCY(2003)
MORTAL LOVE(2004

And the new books to keep an eye out for:
GENERATION LOSS
ILLYRIA
SAFFRON & BRIMSTONE

Some of these are short story collections; all will be purchased by me at some point. Funny that I just recently reread Waking The Moon, too!

DESIGN YOURSELF � A $10.00 spinning wheel

2007-05-09T12:22:00.000-04:00

DESIGN YOURSELF >> A $10.00 spinning wheel

Thanks to the fabulous Dori, I found this page about making one's own CHEAP spinning wheel. I'm not sure what appeals to me more - DIY or CHEAP.

Mmmmmmm. I'm going to have to look this over closely. *rubs hands together and cackles*

Beltane Brouhaha 2007

2007-05-07T01:33:00.001-04:00

bb0703
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

This is a shot of one of the tables under the canopy that I shared with the quite excellent Mystic Artisans - you can see Myrddin in the corner, there - at Beltane Brouhaha. We were blessed with wonderful weather, sunny skies, and decent temperatures with just some strong breezes on Saturday to vex us.
Vending at a campsite like the one at King's Mountain is always fun! I camped in my Jeeple, brushed my teeth in a field amidst 7am morning mist and mud puddles, and danced under the moonlight with my feet bare and free.
The sales were good - I sold a lot of loose herbs, books, and clothing, as well as some of my products. I also talked to a lot of lovely people and made a great connection with Myrddin and his fiancee "Evil Twin" [Toni] that was cemented with lots of great talk and plotting to make some things happen in the local pagan crafter's scene. There are a lot of creative pagan people in the Carolinas, and we really want to get a support network for them going!
My endless thanks go out to Myrddin for the invite to vend and share space, Toni for the hard work, Miles for giving me a reprieve and allowing me to spend all my profits on goodies [hee!], and the Browns and NCPCOW for hosting the event and making a great time happen. Thank you SO much.

***

In other news, I'm learning to spin with a drop spindle, and it has been really fun and fulfilling! I took to it right away, and I'll have photos of my singles that I spun tonight, as well as the lovely spindle I purchased, in the morning. But for now - sleep!

Echoes of a Dream: Natural dyeing. A beginners guide..............

2007-04-25T18:02:00.000-04:00

Echoes of a Dream: Natural dyeing. A beginners guide..............

Just marking this here for now; I'll talk more about it in a bit. :)

vinegar infusion

2007-04-25T12:47:00.001-04:00

vinegar infusion
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Here's a look at what the Apple and Herb Vinegar looks like when it is steeping - posted just for Karen Beth!

... not quite as vibrant as the Beauty Way oil, but still good stuff. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a vinegar addict!

Get yer hands off the chocolate and no one gets hurt!

2007-04-25T11:56:00.000-04:00

A food crime in progress: the FDA is quietly preparing to let manufacturers adulterate chocolate by replacing cocoa butter with cheap vegetable oil.

Tardy, Brouhaha, Things What Smell.

2007-04-25T10:56:00.000-04:00

I missed posting ON Earth Day. I'd say that's a bit lame of me, considering my treehugger stance on pretty much everything - but I was instead actually enjoying the day instead of sitting on my wide butt blogging about it, so I feel okay. *grin*
What did I *do* for Earth Day?
Well, mostly I prepared for the Beltane Brouhaha, an event that I'm vending at this weekend.
I decanted vinegar and infused oils. I did inventory. [boooooring] I made a necklace. [photo forthcoming, hopefully] I added labels to packages. Oh! I also packed up a lot of orders to mail out. Thank you, lovely Etsy buyers, for making this weekend delightfully busy!

For those of you who are new to my blog and life, Etsy is how I do a majority of my business. And that's important, because this is my only job! To bring it back around, this is part of my commitment to the Earth - working a job doing something that helps to educate and support people in learning how to use natural products, things that don't pump chemicals and plastics back into the precious environment. Not to say that this industry is perfect - ask me about overharvesting, or how difficult it is to find pump bottles in glass or recycled plastics - but at least removing the often petroleum-based chemical crud from one's life is making a start. It's better for your skin and body, too!
One of the best things that anyone's ever said to me was something that my pal Melissa recently told me: you opened my eyes to the world of natural products. She changed her shopping to reject chemical cleaners, soaps, and cosmetics, especially ones tested on animals. I'm SO proud, and I'm really touched that I brought this awareness, just by what I do. Sometimes things like that really bring home the idea that you don't have to preach - just put your money where your mouth is. ;)

So that's my Earth Day piece, uncharacteristically late. I've got some more things to write about, but I'll save that for another entry. That's how I keep you coming back, you know!

Timeline: The Frightening Future of Earth - Yahoo! News

2007-04-20T17:13:00.000-04:00

Timeline: The Frightening Future of Earth - Yahoo! News: "Our planet's prospects for environmental stability are bleaker than ever with the approach of this year’s Earth Day, April 22. Global warming is widely accepted as a reality by scientists and even by previously doubtful government and industrial leaders. And according to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is a 90 percent likelihood that humans are contributing to the change."

xiane and rosemary

2007-04-20T00:41:00.001-04:00

xiane and rosemary
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Here I am, sniffing one of my favourite herbs. So wonderful!

This plant is a holdover from last season, still going strong, although a little scraggly.

Alchemille's Secret Garden

2007-04-19T11:30:00.000-04:00

Alchemille's Secret Garden

Lovely Alchemille kindly wrote a nice article about some of the Earth Day themed items being listed on Etsy by the street team she organizes, The Wild and Wise Collective. I'm lucky enough to be a member, and she gave my Love Your Mother ritual kit a very nice mention. Thank you, Alchemille!
Please do read her article and check out the items that everyone contributed to the Earth Day cause!
You can use this link to see them all:
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=twwc%20earth%20day&search_type=tag_title&order=&page=1

Canadian north offers 'ground zero' view of global warming - USATODAY.com

2007-04-17T12:56:00.000-04:00

Canadian north offers 'ground zero' view of global warming - USATODAY.com

:/

Indulge In Vintage Body Spa

2007-04-17T11:27:00.000-04:00

Indulge In Vintage Body Spa

- To be added to links later, but check out this blog! Lots of great reviews of indie craftspeople, artisans, and business owners! [plus she makes wonderful bath and body items, as well!]

Health freedom action alert: FDA attempting to regulate supplements, herbs and juices as "drugs"

2007-04-11T23:58:00.000-04:00

Health freedom action alert: FDA attempting to regulate supplements, herbs and juices as "drugs"

I'll write more aboutthis later; for now, I just want to make sure I don't lose this link.

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfumery

2007-04-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

Anya's Garden of Natural Perfumery

Lots of great info about what's going on in the natural perfumery world from one who knows. Very informative posts!

I always forget about honey.

2007-04-09T01:04:00.000-04:00

I always do this. I forget how amazing honey - that simple wonder food given to us by the recently endangered honeybee - is for my skin.

Seriously. This is one of the simplest things you can do for your skin to nourish it:
1. wash face
2. keep face damp
3. coat skin with honey
4. dampen fingers
5. pat skin with damp fingers lightly, all over
6. rinse thoroughly with warm water
7. luxuriate in your fresh and clean skin

The honey I've been using lately is even better than usual, because it has started to crystallize - so I can not only use it as a masque, but also as a gentle scrub!

Honey is a mild anti-bacterial and antimicrobial agent, a humectant, and an anti-irritant. It really is the wonder masque.

[You can use it in your hair, too. Just rinse thoroughly!]

Freakin' brilliant.

2007-04-05T14:19:00.000-04:00

Some Etsians cut to the chase, in regard to the ongoing issue with Etsy Admins seemingly refusing to even talk about making an admin-only announcement section in the forums, or a sticky, or really ANYTHING that makes it easier to find The Official Word on Etsy policy. [if they have a plan, please please let us in on it?] :)
They made their own "Unofficial Etsy News" blog. THEY are taking the time to compile the things that Admins say in regards to questions, worries, and clarifications. THANK YOU to:
emckinstry
gemmafactrix*
serena
soap

*edited to add new editor Brooke/Gemma :D

It's the little things...

2007-04-05T00:43:00.000-04:00

I've got products in not one but two treasuries at Etsy. For those who don't Etsy [whaaaaaat?!], treasuries are user-curated lists of items for sale on Etsy. They're often picked to represent a concept, or an artistic vision of colour or form... sometimes just because the user likes the items in question. I often make them about band lyrics or herbal things - surprise. ;)

It's really pleasing for me to find myself represented there twice, especially as sales have been a little slow for me. That's my fault, really. I haven't been promoting as much as I should, nor have I been listing new items as frequently as is needed to stay in the publics' eye. That's an Etsy trick - list early, list often. I've been sitting on that while I wait for some supplies to come in. One of the things I'm excited to get made and listed soon - COFFEE flavoured lip bliss! mmmmmmmmmm. I went out of my way to get coffee extract for that very reason.

My only question - what colour should I make it? :D

Etsians Say The Darnest Things

2007-04-02T23:36:00.000-04:00

Etsians Say The Darnest Things

I can see this being my newest blog obsession!

EZ-up, Brouhaha, Limited Edition, Street Teams, Luna and Zen

2007-04-01T02:43:00.000-04:00

Can you tell that there's a lot to cover in this post? Ha.

Looks like I've picked up another vending event, this time a fun three-day thinger: Beltane Brouhaha, held at King's Mountain State Park in SC. It happens on the weekend of April 27th - 29th, though I'll probably only be vending on that Friday and Saturday. Hopefully I'll see some of you there?

With that thought in mind, and knowing that the Rockabilly BBQ is also approaching, Miss SnitchesGetStitches and I went to good ol' Dick's [snigger, yes I'm five] to get an EZ-up canopy to vend under. Lo and behold, they had them ON SALE - cue heavenly chorus - and we got that AND a wind shield for it for just a touch over $100. Yes, we did the dance of joy... well, I thought about it, anyway. Needless to say, we were pleased. We get to try out setting it up in her back yard next week when we work on more Coffin Colors!
I forgot to put that in my title for this post, but oooooh how excited I am about the new mineral pigments we have waiting for us to work with. We plan on some new eyeshadow colours such as Red Ass Red™ and Girl Pants™ and of course many others. You just wait!

And speaking of handmade stuff, I *finally* got my organic shower gels listed, and it took less than a day for BOTH of my listings for the Limited Edition scent Spellbound to sell out. Awesome! Now I'm hoping that Beyond The Pale starts to take off. They smell SO good, and I really like the way they came out, overall. I have been working hard to expand my line, and I'm hoping to have more shower gel scents listed within a week or two.
And while mentioning new items, I should mention that I've got one very special new item listed, and I'd really like it if you took a look.

From my listing for the Zen Body/Massage Oil:
Zen is a doggie with cancer. He owns the wonderful Angi of Etsy shop luna2005, who has been working hard to pay for his vet bills. His cancer has spread to his lungs, but he is strong and he loves his Mom, and this is my way of both paying tribute to that and helping Angi out a little. 100% of the sale for this will go to her!

I created this massage and body oil from the highest quality organic ingredients - a gentle, soothing, yet incredibly moisturizing blend of sweet almond oil, vitamin e, and safflower oils that have been infused with organic rose petals and jasmine flowers [cultivated without chemicals]. I then swirl organic lavender oil throughout, to seal the message of peace within.

Please consider taking a look at this, and if you can, purchasing it to help with Zen's medical bills. Thank you.

ThreeRavens and Eclectic Circle at Cirque Macabre!

2007-03-23T10:06:00.001-04:00

ThreeRavens and Eclectic Circle at Cirque Macabre!
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Here's a photo from my weekend adventure, vending at Cirque Macabre on March 17th, in Raleigh NC! If you explore my photostream, you'll see more photos from the night.

What a fantastic event!

Bath and Body Folk, and all lovers of Essential Oils, PAY HEED.

2007-03-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Diana Rajchel of MagickalRealism
With Di's permission, I'm copying the text of a post she made tonight at Etsy:

IFRA, the international fragrancers association, has proferred a list of 60 natural essential oils commonly used in fragrance that they are recommending a "ban" on. Why? Because Quest international among other big-name perfume companies are losing market share to people that prefer natural ingredients, and because it is much cheaper to use synthetics in perfumery.

IFRA is arguing itself blue emphasising that membership with them is "voluntary." Still, IFRA sets standards that national organizations like the FDA look to for guidelines - meaning they are moving forward the possibility that the FDA might ban rose oil, bergamot, and ginger, among others.

You can download the files here:
http://www.ifraorg.org/News.asp?Sel=8

Perfumer Tony Burfield has some good comments:
http://anyasgarden.blogspot.com/2007/03/tony-burfields-letter-to-ifra.html

Here is a petition and info by cropwatch, as well:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ifra40/
http://www.cropwatch.org/40thpetition.htm

I'm fairly familiar with all the plants listed as recommended for "banning." While nearly all essential oils must be diluted to avoid photosensitivity and acidity issues, the risks indicated here are minimal and based on manipulated data. (If you feed a mouse three times its body weight in comfrey root a day for its diet, of COURSE it will develop liver problems. But feed it one tenth its body weight once a week of comfrey, no problem - data manipulated like that).

This is aimed directly at people *like* the bath and body sellers on Etsy.

I'm working on a blog post researching each and every one of the oils on this list, and it may take me a bit, but I will let you all know when it's up. Besides, in this day and age, it's fine to be able to casually discuss eugenol with your friends.

Posted at 12:34 am, March 8 2007 EST

I went geranium.

2007-02-23T01:52:00.001-05:00

swswip
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

Here's one of the things I do when I'm not making Things What Smell - I knit. I just recently started to feel like I'm actually getting good at knitting, after two years of puttering away at it. My criteria for choosing a project is that the yarn and the needles have to feel and look good in my hands, because I want to do this for the tactile sensation and the relaxation it brings.
I say this here, because you cannot hear me curse at myself when I drop yet another stitch.
Anyway, back to this scarf. I'm working with Patons SWS in the geranium colourway, and I adore it. I'm also using some handmade needles that I bought from one of my favourite vendors on the science-fiction-convention circuit.
Working with this yarn is a joy!

Atomic!

2007-02-23T01:41:00.001-05:00

atomicsalts3
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

I made some new bath salts tonight - cafe amaretto salts made with real coffee and delightful almond. It'll WAKE YOU UP.

It also made my kitchen smell so good that I could hardly stand it. *drool*

And for those who wonder where I get the names for my products - I usually take them from songs that I like. This one? Blondie all the way. Every time I see the jars sitting there, I start singing Atomic! It's been stuck in my head all night.

vinegar and adrenaline

2007-02-19T00:28:00.001-05:00

vinegarandadrenaline
Originally uploaded by xiane threeravens.

The two newest additions to the ThreeRavens Bath and Body line.

Adrenaline Bath Salts are super-charged with Organic lemongrass and orange oils, and will really wake you up!

The Herb and Apple Vinegar is something I've wanted to sell for a while, since I make it all the time for my own use anyway. Doesn't smell great, but oooh will it clarify your hair and skin. I love it for getting styling products or conditioner buildup out of my hair. I made it full-strength, so you actually get twice the amount of product once you dilute it by half.

I'm excited by all the new things I have brewing here!

... because I need more Crafts to do. Really.

2007-02-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

Just took up needle felting [for fun and profit woo!] and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Seriously, how can you resist a craft that requires you to *jab jab jab jab jab* stuff to create things?
So far I've made a small free-form bowl with a swirl design and a felted flower, complete with a leaf - that will probably become a brooch. I'm working on another bowl, which I'll probably be selling. They're perfect for putting on your nightstand to hold jewelry, or to put on your altar for offerings.

I'll have photos eventually, I've just been behind in getting some decent ones due to lighting restrictions around here. [only natural light seems to bring out the proper colours in things; even my attempt to build a makeshift lightbox has't yielded the results that I'd like.]

The other thing I've been working on, thanks to Melissa from Snitches Get Stitches, is making mineral makeup! She and I have been working to create cool eyeshadow colours that will stay on through pretty much any activity - yet come off easily with soap or a cleanser. This project was totally her idea, and it's a great one. We've been having a blast making a huge pigmented mess and covering ourselves in oxides. :D

What's your newest craft? Do tell!

test

2007-02-10T01:59:00.001-05:00

Just a test. Nothing to see here... yet.