Hydro meaning water and sol meaning solution, the term hydrosol is the aromatic water that carries over the essential oil during the process of distillation. In some instances the end product is the hydrosol, the condensate water produced during a plant distillation, while in others the hydrosol is a by-product of the distillation of plant… Continue reading Hydro+sol
Tag: Plants
The Golden Cloak of Autumn Arrives to Santa Fe
A few of the sign posts signaling the arrival of Autumn here in Santa Fe, New Mexico have been sighted. We begin with a flowering native commonly referred to as Rabbitbrush, Chamisa, and Rubber Rabbitbrush, the latin is Ericameria nauseous and/or Chrysothamnus nauseous. Chamisa Above: Chamisa in June I find Chamisa particularly interesting to watch… Continue reading The Golden Cloak of Autumn Arrives to Santa Fe
Aroma, Alchemy and Medicine of the Soul in Words and Images
Last Thursday (I can hardly believe its been a week already!) Cathy Skipper and Florian Birkmayer arrived in Los Angeles from Albuquerque for the transformative Alchemy and Medicine of the Soul classes and experiences beginning with the Panel on Alchemy in Cypress Park. Originally we had set up the discussion to take place at a… Continue reading Aroma, Alchemy and Medicine of the Soul in Words and Images
Everlasting
Friday evening, during the Street Art Live event at Wizard (Whizin) Center a gentle soul who auspiciously resembled Frodo came by the perfumery. We began chatting and soon found we shared a love of plants, specifically those of the California wildwoods. My friend Marie, who was spending time with me at the perfumery that evening,… Continue reading Everlasting
Plant Dye Intensive Summary
The plant dye workshop that was originally scheduled for March 1st took place this past Sunday, on March 8th. Lucky for the teacher and attendees it was a fabulously sunny and beautiful day here in the Santa Monica Mountains which added a deeper shade of magic to the whole experience. Mona, Greg and I arrived… Continue reading Plant Dye Intensive Summary
Pre-Plant Dye Prep
In preparation for tomorrows plant dye experience Mona has been pre-dying some of the little square kerchiefs which will be dyed a second time to add some magenta hues over the existing color. I must admit that the pre-dyed silks are pretty cool on their own. I’ve already fallen in love with a few that… Continue reading Pre-Plant Dye Prep
Botanical Valentine
Romantic Reds from Ancient Days Lac is a natural dye that has been prized since antiquity for its’ luminous reds and sweet pink hues. The dye itself comes from sweet exudates of the Lac insect. As early as 1200 BC, Lac was collected and used for decoration. The word lac is the English version of… Continue reading Botanical Valentine
Plant Dye Workshop at the Perfumery!
“You are an alchemist; make gold of that.” ~ William Shakespeare Plant Dye Workshop: Botanical Alchemy Sunday, March 1st from 10am – 4pm in Agoura Hills, CA Mona Lewis, Sunsprite Handwork and Roxana of Illuminated Perfume have aligned their passion and skills to bring a day of intense play and alchemy as we dye soft… Continue reading Plant Dye Workshop at the Perfumery!
Radiant Orchids
Pantone, the self deemed authority on color , has deemed “Radiant Orchid” the color of 2014. This cool yet warm hue, which gently lounges on the fringes of red violet, has an affinity with the color harmony of Gracing the Dawn and Cimbalom. In fact, if you were to take the lavender shade of Gracing… Continue reading Radiant Orchids
The Birds and the Bees
The heavy rains from last week gave our very dry earth a much needed soaking producing a few blooms in the garden. The girls have been hard at work collecting nectar and pollen. A hive check is over due, which will likely result in a frame of honey or two. The Cistus is flowering. I… Continue reading The Birds and the Bees