around the studio
I enjoy making small improvements to my work space. A lot of these improvements happen on the fly, as the need or notice arises, in the middle of other projects. Recently, after becoming frustrated with the plastic caps … Continued
Seasonal Skincare
+ On the central Oregon Coast red elder is blooming everywhere right now, and it comes right at the time I tend to want to change up my skin care routine. Elderflower has become a cue of sorts, that … Continued
caring for your leather goods
I’ve had a few questions about leather care, and using our Leather Salve, so this week I documented the care of my wallet to show you the process. A little over a year ago I made myself this billfold … Continued
rainwater catchment system update
My most viewed, most pinned, most popular post on this blog is one that I wrote about our rainwater catchment system, which Steven created and installed back in March 2012. That post still receives daily hits, so clearly the interest … Continued
diy mason bee house
I have a fun, simple project for you this week, and it will most likely cost you nothing, take you just a few minutes to make and will create habitat for garden pollinators. It’s also an enjoyable way to observe … Continued
grow your own mushrooms
This week we started our first set of Shiitake mushroom spawn. We had a few small Alder trees on our property that needed to be removed, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to start growing our own mushrooms. … Continued
garden apothecary
This time of year my hands are especially prone to becoming rough and dry – constantly in the dirt planting, weeding and digging. I rub them daily with lotion, to restore lost moisture and smooth any roughness (this and this … Continued
wild medicinals
Red elder trees are blooming everywhere right now. They are all along the roadsides out here near the lakes on the edge of the woods, and there are a couple growing right in our yard. Until recently, when I … Continued
make your own yogurt
I love yogurt all ways – made up sweet in a smoothie with fruit, savory with seeds and herbs, as a topping on meals or a spread on sandwiches; as a supplement to swig down doses of flax oil and … Continued