I always look forward to our town's art festivals -- row upon row of booths set up in the quaintest and loveliest park in town.
I'm always amazed by the variety of different talents that are represented --photography, glass blowing, knitting, pottery, art, wood carving, jewelry, basket weaving, and everything in between!
It's especially fun when you get to go with family:
Ironically, the only thing I bought at the art festival doesn't really count as "art."
I love realy vanilla extract, but it's so expensive! So when I saw "Perpetuals" at an herb booth, I was thrilled.
All I had to do was cut the three vanilla beans in half, fill it up with vodka (which I already had, since I use it to make scents with essential oils), and wait for four weeks! Every time you use it, you just add more vodka or rum. Supposedly it lasts for several years, and when it starts to weaken you just add more beans. Loverly!
Now I'm inspired to take up dozens of new crafts -- but I think I should just stick with the (too many) crafts that I already pursue!
Wow Shannon! That's really neat about the vanilla extract! That would save a lot of money. We purchase ours at our local Sam's, but even so, it's expensive!
ReplyDeleteI use essential oils in my sugar scrubs, and I didn't even know that I could make them myself! How do you make them? Do you know of a good resource (i.e. a book, website) I could find?
...Thoroughly enjoyed your post! :D
~L a u r e n
Lauren, I was thrilled with the idea of a perpetual, too! Especially since they're organic, which is just another bonus. :-) I've added a link to the company in my blog post -- they're a bit pricier to purchase online than they were at the booth, but it's still a pretty good deal (or you could just make your own!).
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm afraid I don't know how to make essential oils! Well, I think my sister has a book that discusses it, but it's very difficult to do -- what I do is make my own scents/perfumes with essential oils, since I have mild chemical sensitivity and can't use regular scented lotions or perfumes. I use the vodka as a dilutant, since it holds scent better than water. Sorry, that was very confusing in my post -- I've reworded it to make it a bit clearer!
Wow, that was long! :-) I hope you're having a lovely day!
Blessings,
Shannon
Thanks so much for your reply and for the link! Yes, organics are always a nice bonus!
ReplyDelete...and I understand about the essential oils :)
If you're ever looking for another place to buy essential oils, I'd suggest:
wwww.newdirectionsaromatics.com
They seem to have good prices and quality. I've been happy with each order I've received.
Anyway, thanks again!
~L a u r e n