Thursday, December 15, 2005

Four Weeks With Doors Wide Open

Tomorrow will be four weeks that Beads N Botanicals is open for business.

More folks are discovering "us" all the time.

I'm finding that I will have to learn Spanish because there are quite a few Hispanics still living in the area who originally came to work the farms from Mexico. Nice folks. It's kind of funny that the store used to be the Migrant Workers Office at one time.

Got back from a wholesale gem & jewelry show in Chicago last weekend and I'm still sorting through ALL the goodies...from semi-precious stone beads, amethyst cluster tea light holders, sterling silver beads and lampworked beads.

Only have most of my oils and incense (plus some herbs) at the website, but if you cannot make it to the physical store, check out our internet location at http://www.wiseweeds.net

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

New Brick & Mortar Store

If you're in the Hoopeston, Il area on Friday, November 18, stop by our new store...Beads N Botanicals...at 227 South Market St.

It's not up yet, but our store phone number is 217-283-6380.

And, in case you are wondering what it is we sell....the store name tells you most of it....Beads and Botanically-related products, including our famous hand-dipped incenses, hand-blended oils, soaps, bath salts, custom-scented body washes and shampoos, perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, jewelry and beading supplies.

If you can't make it, check out our webstore http://www.wiseweeds.net

Right now we mostly have our incense and oils listed, but we will be adding more all the time, including more culinary, medicianal and magickal herbs.

Sunday, November 6, 2005

New Internet Store Is Open!!!

Hi folks,
After all of these months, I finally have the store open that I've been promising you. Botanicals from Wise Weeds is now open, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://www.wiseweeds.net

Now, mind you, that is Internet 24/7. I will be checking on orders daily.

Remember, we make our incense, oil blends, bath salts and soaps in small batches, so if we don't have items in stock, we will make them to order for you, as fast as we can.

Need gift baskets? E-mail us at wiseweeds@hotmail.com and let us know exactly what you need. We can mail directly to your gift recipient if you'd like us to. And, we take credit cards through PayPal, making buying products from us a snap.

Need a custom-made necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings? Let us know as soon as possible.

Thursday, November 3, 2005

Tea Tree Essential Oil Activates White Blood Cells

Tea Tree Essential Oil Activates White Blood Cells

Researchers at the Department of Research, Lombard, USA, say that tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) works by activating white blood cells in the body.

According to them, tea tree oil has been used since the 1920s as a topical antiseptic and has been found to be more effective than the drug, Phenol.

Their results showed that the tea tree oil increased the activation of white blood cells in the blood serum. The report concluded that one reason why tea tree oil appears to be such an effective topical antiseptic is the beneficial effect it exerts activating whiteblood cells.

Source : Biological activity of Melaleuca alternifola (Tea Tree) oil component,terpinen-4-ol, in human myelocytic cell line HL-60.Budhiraja SS; Cullum ME; Sioutis SS; EvangelistaL; Habanova ST J Manipulative Physiol Ther,22:447-53, 1999 Sep http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Plant-Remedies/tea-tree-oil-research.htm

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Eating Edible Wild Foods: Lambs Quarters, More than a Spinach Substitute

Eating Edible Wild Foods: Lambs Quarters, More than a Spinach Substitute

By Catherine Novak

Most early summers, I spent some time foraging for wild herbs to bring more food and medicines to our household. I especially enjoy the ease of identifying and gathering Lambs Quarter leaves.

Now is the time to enjoy reaping the benefits of the autumn seed harvest. You can, too. The seeds can be added to cereals, cold and hot, as well as to muffins, like you would poppy seeds.

If you’re a fan of spinach cooked in various dishes, you may enjoy the milder taste ofChenopodium album, also known as Lambs Quarters.

Often people want to add wild foods to their diet, but aren’t sure about dealing with unfamiliar flavors and textures. One of the benefits of Lambs Quarters is its extremely mild taste. In fact, my six-year-old son prefers the flavor of Lambs Quarters to the stronger flavor of spinach.

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

New Store Coming

Right now, you can order incense, oils, soaps, candles and bath salts directly from me by emailing me your order and paying either through PayPal, money orders or checks.

You can also check out our auctions at EBAY.

Coming soon, our address at http://www.wiseweeds.net will host an active store with shopping cart and all. Right now, it's brand-new and not yet open.

Thursday, August 4, 2005

Moving On Up...

You read it here first, folks. Wise Weeds Botanicals is hitting the road and moving its headquarters to Hoopeston, Il.

Hoopeston, Il? you might ask. Yep, we're moving to a little town about two-and-a-half hours south of Chicago.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Sirius Rising and Starwood 2005

Just got back from Sirius Rising and Starwood's 25th anniversary bash.

This year the Wise Weeds booth was right next to the famous "Phil's Grill," just down the road from our spot of the last two years.

Saw some old friends and made a few new ones. Many thanks to Dustin, Deanna and Naomi for running my booth so that I could attend or present workshops, as well as get to cool off in the pool on some of the hot days where I was melting in the middle of the afternoon.

Did I mention that this was the first year I was a presenter at Starwood? Herbal Safety: Medicinal vs. Magical Herbs, Scents & Scentsuality, and Love as Thou Will (with Ed Hubbard). All of the workshops went off, with Love as Thou Will on polyamory garnering the largest audience.

When I get a chance, I'll talk more about these events and other exciting news.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

On the Road

Hi folks,
Just to let you know, I expect to be at Sirius Rising and Starwood at Brushwood in Sherman, NY come the middle of July. If you're interested, you can check out the dates at http://www.brushwood.com

Like last year, I will be presenting herbal/aromatherapy classes at Sirius Rising.
AND, in breaking news ;*) I am a speaker at STARWOOD this year. http://www.rosencomet.com

I'll be discussing Herbal Safety: Medicinal vs. Magickal Herbs (those of you who have already taken this workshop know we discuss "stupid people tricks" and other entertaining notions.)Scents & Scentsuality. And, I will be co-presenting a workshop called: "Love as Thou Will" on polyamory with Ed Hubbard.

I also expect to be at the Northeast Naturists Festival in mid-August. This small, but wonderful event, takes place at Empire Haven, in Moravia, NY.

NEW WEBSITE COMING:

Yes, it's true. I am FINALLY going to have a professionally designed website. What that means to you is that, besides being to order from my ebay store, you will be able to deal directly with me AND read up to date articles on herbalism, aromatherapy, spiritual uses of oils and incense and different aspects of crystals. (Okay, this is not going to happen all at once, but we're going to get there!!!! )
In the meantime, find out what's for sale at our EBAY store. It includes incense, oils, essential oils, booksand auctions of all sorts of goods and fun items.
http://stores.ebay.com/Aroma-from-Wise-Weeds-Botanicals

ON THE ROAD
And, in case you've been wondering, it's been a busy season already for me.
Wise Weeds was at the Sacred Sexuality Beltane Festival at Ramblewood in Maryland in April. I spoke on "Scents & Scentsuality," and co-presented a workshop on polyamory with Ed Hubbard.

The next weekend Wise Weeds was at the Blue Ridge Pagan Alliance Beltane at Heavenly Acres in Standardsville, VA. Always a lovely location, great people and a lot of fun. Overall, the weather was great for us, too!

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Wise Weeds was at GOTT (Gathering of the Tribes) in Isle of Wight at Blackwater Campground. We shared a vending space with Michelle West, whom some of you may know from her store, Moon Dance, which had been open in Virginia Beach until the end of March. We had a great time seeing friends and catching up on news.
The first weekend in June was a new adventure: The St. Louis Pagan Picnic, which took place June 4 and 5. Because I am the "official" supplier of oils and incense to witchschool.com, they invited me to share their vending space. The heat was intense. But if you wanted days filled with ritual, music of all types and TONS of shopping, it was a great place to be.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

GOT GOTT?

GOTT stands for Gathering of the Tribes. As in a semi-annual event held on Memorial and Labor Day weekends in Isle of Wight, VA.

Been doing the usual last minute pouring of oils and packing of incense. Looking forward to seeing some folks there. Although I'm a vendor, I find that festivals are as much a social occassion for me as a time to make money. I enjoy seeing and talking with my "regulars," regardless of whether they spend any money with me (although that never hurts ;*)

Time for bed.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Planting a Seed

Since 1992, Wise Weeds has been around "officially." We started out in N.J. and moved down to Virginia in 1997.

Most people know us for our excellent blends of handmade oils, incense and herbal products. They've met us at Renaissance Faires, Medieval Faires, Music Festivals and Pagan Festivals.

Through this BLOG, I hope to share some insights into herbalism, aromatherapy, healing and the craft of natural perfumery. Might also share some pix of our line of custom made jewelry, as well.

Please, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment here. You can also email us for more info on our products and services.