Living Letters and Growing Gifts

Five Days After Watering Ornament

I said I would do as many updates this Holiday season as
I can, so I'm scrambling to write as I work, and I've got
some cool new things to show you!

So here are some of the Eco Gifts & Seeding paper
I have done this weekend---My Living Letters! Loving
lettered tags and Ornaments that can love the planet too!

When you have gotten your ornamental use out of them,
you can gift them or grow them, and they sprout within
days of watering!

Create your own little garden easily with these 
Living Letters & Growing Gifts, from
The Simple Siren.

No more cracked and crushed plastic baubles,
these babies are durable like fired clay, but easily
come apart when ready to grow!

                             ~~~<*>~~~

All of my Growing Gift Ornaments are made with our special Eco dough blend, ready to be sprouted in a fertile casing. These festive Eco Ornaments come finished with rich colors in Soy based paints (or Au Natural Brown-Red) that can also biodegrade without harm to you or your environment while growing your gift.

And here is some updated picture info for my Living Letters handmade paper, from recycled and up cycled materials.

I'm quite pleased, as it has been forever since I last made paper from scratch.

--Homemade Screen--

...I am a Montessori Kid, yep that's right, a youth spent catching critters in creeks, climbing and jumping from trees, star gazing and mapping and cloud formation identification, among many other useful and fun DIY skills.

 I had amazing teachers who were so much more... They were dancers and dreamers, Artists and anthropologists.

They loved life and teaching to the point where a kid didn't even realize that they were learning, thats how amazingly a part of life and our natural curiosities they made everyday learning.

To this day, I use more of the early knowledge that I learned in Montessori than I did in any year in public school.

In fact, the countries that use Montessori style teaching, have students who rank in the top first or second place in the world...they learn more through experience, instead of standardization.

I believe it has served me well, and at the very least, I am never bored.

I will be making a lot more living paper, that will be turned into growing ornaments and special gift tags, that are little surprises in themselves. They will house my own Chef blends of Organic Veggie and Herb heirloom seeds, Butterfly blends, and Edible Flower mixes.

I have made a couple of new and different shaped screens for myself, so I can make shapes for the holidays and the soon to come Valentine's day...I know all you guys out there will be scrambling to find something your girl will love, so stop on by to check out what we will have at The Simple Siren, you can link yourself through my shop feed on the right hand side of the blog!

Holiday Pre-Order Extension!

Holiday Custom Gift orders are being taken through December 10th as an extension, as my Holiday show at Columbus College of Art and Design, will be December 3rd, and I understand my local supporters would like to see everything I will have before they make their decisions. I hope to see you all there, and again if you need more in depth information or would like to be a sponsor of the show, please contact the school through www.CCAD.edu
For Show info: http://www.ccad.edu/events-2011/holiday-art-sale

Stop on by The Simple Siren table, even if it is just to say hi! Can't wait to see everyone there,
Happy Holiday Hunting to All!

Eco Card: "Living Letters" Holiday Gift Accents

So one of the things I miss most when going into Winter, is that all of the plants and flowers and trees that bloom and grow their beautiful, colorful leaves...lose those leaves, for months. Leaves in shades of greens and yellows, and here in Ohio, Reds, Browns, Purples...really our Summer leaf collection is about as colorful as a good autumn turning.

Don't get me wrong, I love Winter for it's own charms, and I am indeed a snow baby, I learned to ski at age 2, because my father's family always had started their kids young. It snows quite a lot in Ohio, sometimes we get 2-3 ft over-nighters, and rarely (but often enough) 15-20 below, so I am no stranger to the cold and snow - and the cold weather creates wonderful sunsets...

Outside the SS studio

But my yearning for my friendly tendrils has had me reflecting on some of the DIY eco projects I grew up with, that can be applied even in the winter.

I am adding one of these projects as an item in my store and at this year's CCAD student - alumni Holiday art sale.

I call them "Living Letters", handmade paper cards and tags that not only add a gorgeous, rustic touch to any gift, but are useful as well and a great treat for those Eco conscious, garden loving, guerrilla seeding friend or loved one. These handmade paper tags and cards are seeded with different Organic heirloom seed mixtures.

The particular mixture I am starting with is one of my Ohio blends with Organic Arugula, Parsley, Cinnamon Basil, Sweet Basil, Flax, and Thyme.

I will be focusing on Ohio and Midwest blends this winter for my local show, although most of the seeds I use are fine for all zones in the US, they just may take longer to germinate or grow quicker, depending on the area.

They make great little thank yous in cards, as plant-able tags for gifts, guerrilla gardening cards to leave in those sad and abandoned dirt lots---or anything you can come up with!

I have spent a couple of days shredding all of our studio recycling for my paper (it's been a long time since I've done it and forgot how sore your fingers get!)
Normally I would try to rope a younger relative or friend to help out with it, but alas I am on my own until I get my next helper or intern.

At some point after the holidays I will do a DIY basic paper making tutorial for you all. This is a great project to preoccupy the little ones while stuck indoors this season, and just a fun project to do with a friend, or even on your own (hey we all like a little alone time!)

I will be adding <---these to my arsenal of Living Letters and other growing gifts at The Simple Siren; our Tera Balls, seeding balls (aka seed bombs).


Sturdier than the paper balls, these clay and vermi-compost combination is a strong deterrent to animals and insects, since most won't eat things covered in clay  or it's dust.

These sprouts are the beginnings of the Ohio - Midwest blend Tera Bomb, and only took about 3 days to sprout (some seeds in there take a bit longer so we will see what happens with these!) I have always been able to grow these indoors so we shall see what sprouts up!

Like my Little Morsels Soap and Subtleties line, these Tera Seed Bombs are stamped with a nature themed stamp and finished in a versatile & festive way (but I'm not sharing that part until the show! ;)
                                                                       Tera-form your yard or indoor environment with this very fertile start for new seedlings to spring forth into the world. (Speaking of Tera Forming your indoor environments..Check out our local friend Maxe Smith --- and her friend Chomsky The Desk Gnome, at
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/74073716/chomsky-the-desk-gnome. ---Maybe he can help you out :)

Combined with black gold vermi-compost and other special ingredients, these babies will even grow indoors as you can see. Just water, throw in a pot, or throw somewhere they will get plenty of sunshine and water, and these Tera Seed Bombs will grow for you :)

...so stay tuned and grab your first pick December 3rd at the CCAD student Alumni art sale! I hope to see you all there!

Circular Breathing Technique: Self Help & Anti Stress

Since having to have my tooth taken out and jawbone shaved under Local Anesthesia, I realized how lucky I was to know Square breathing (AKA Circular Breathing). I went in thinking my Doc would just take a look, but they were ready to go and start the surgery. I was less than thrilled.

For the first time I had a nervous reaction so bad I could not stop shaking, and I almost had to get laughing gas to calm me down.

My saving grace was knowing how to meditate properly, otherwise I would have run out of the surgery room like a banshee out of hell.
This technique is also a life saver for those who get panic attacks and also for pregnant women.

The technique is as follows:

The Set Up
~ Sit in a comfortable chair with good back support that will allow you to keep decent posture (good posture is one key to being able to really benefit from the exercise and to allow you to take in as much oxygen as possible)

~Place your feet flat on the floor with your hands either in your lap or palms (up or down) on your thighs.
You can also do this by laying flat on your back on the ground (carpeting is probably more comfortable), with your hands resting on your stomach and your legs bent so your feet can be flat on the ground.

~It is also helpful to place some books under your head (not your neck!) That are about the width of your fingers together without the thumb. (Dr Seuss books work great ;) This is due to the fact that you are aligning your spine when you do this, if you just lay your head down, your spine is not aligned, therefore you wont get full breaths.

Ginkgo Baby grown from seedling

~ Close your eyes, or if you can't, try to focus on something that is unmoving, like a candle or a plant (I find staring at my studio babies to be very calming.

Breathing

Now that you have settled yourself start by breathing in through your nose for a count of 3. By breathing through your nose you are absorbing more oxygen into your bloodstream.

Hold the breath for a count of 3

Release the breath through your mouth for a count of 3 again.

Hold the release for a count of 3 before starting the breathing cycle again through your nose.
In through your nose, out through your mouth.


When you can get the cycle going and are comfortable, you can move the count to five and then ultimately a count of 8, which is the most desirable breathing cycle count. It can be difficult to maintain when you first start this technique, which is why we recommend starting with a 3 count.

I really believe in this technique and many alternative (Reike, Alexander Technique, etc.) and Western traditional therapists use this technique to help soothe those who suffer from panic attacks and other nervous issues. I know it has helped me through college, running two businesses and with injuries or my famous impatience for when I'm (rarely) ill lol. It helps with patience, or in tight situations that can easily become overwhelming. Try it out the next time your boss is giving you a hard time or when your kids are driving you up the wall, it may save you from lashing out in a way you might regret later.

If you have any specific questions that I have not answered here, just leave your comment, or if you would like to message me privately you can email me at TheSimpleSiren@gmail.com, I try to get back to everyone within 48 hours.

I hope this explanation is found to be helpful for those who need it.
~Stay Happy and Healthy my Friends~

Eco Pack Updates

Ok so I really thought I would have these up in my shop by Monday, since I got back from my trip, buuuut it seems like the cosmos had other ideas.

On the third or so day of my trip, I woke up with a very infected wisdom tooth(I got these suckers later in life than most), and had GA surgery to extract it as soon as I got back---so I'm slowly recovering and trying to get as much done for everyone as I can :)  I should be up and at-em by the end of the week.
                                ~~~
I am hoping to post all of my new Bath Salt Tonics like this one to your Left. These are great soaks that help heal, and stimulate your skin, as well as sooth dryness and itchy-ness that some of us get during the colder months.(I know with the way I feel right now, that I will be using one of these tonight!)

Not to mention they just smell so darn good, you wont want to get out of the bath! This fresh lemon scent is great since it comes from organic cold pressed lemons, so no medicine-y smells. When my husband came home he asked if I was making lemonade again, because he could have sworn the freshness was from me cutting lemons(we love lemonade and make it all the time).
                      ~~~
Along with the stimulation from the Lemon oil, this mix uses other organic healing ingredients like Calendula flower and hydrating oils like Jojoba and Olive oil, which contains an important anti oxidant, great for healing and protecting your skin and hair.

I have completed a Lemon and Citrus Eco Pack for the holidays and will be featured at my booth during the Columbus College of Art and Design Student and Alumni Art Sale. 
(Follow link for more info)

These packs will be between $16-$20 depending on the contents. This pack includes 1 Rosemary Lemonade lip balm, 1 Citrus Jasmine Organic Cold Process soap sample, and 1 5 oz pack of Organic Lemon and Calendula Bath salts (featured above).

It is filled with an Organic Calendula and Chamomile Soak, that also works as a tea. It is packaged in our 100% biodegradable/compost-able cellophane.
                                 ~~~
General Admission for the Sale is $5 after 10:30 A.M. and is $50 Starting at 9 A.M. for "First Pick". Parking is free and admission is taken at the door. If you would like to become a sponsor of the event or have any questions you can call 614.224.9101.

CCAD Campus

 If you are local (or even if you aren't) this is a great show that happens twice a year at CCAD.

There are so many talented people that will be there showing off their wares. I will be located on the Second floor of the Loanne Crane Center at table # 50.

Stop by even if it is just to say hello or for a nice chat :) I will be taking custom and holiday orders.

I hope everyone can make it. I will be posting updates until the event with some new releases (but some I'm keeping secret!), so stay tuned and mark your calender!

~Goodnight and Take Care ~

Eco Friendly Gift Packs for the Holidays

I know it seems like it shouldn't be that time of year again ~ but it is! And we very happy to finish the year with some good ideas!

We are very excited to be releasing Little Eco Packs (and some larger more complicated ones!) for stocking stuffers or gifts for friends, or perhaps yourself this holiday season(...hey everyone deserves to gift themselves once in awhile ;)

                                     ~~~~~~~
Thanks to a great customer in my new shop (already a second timer, and a very friendly person!), I made some yummi Cocoa Vanilla Peek~A~Buddha lotion scrub bars.







                                                                  
       They have a great Sea Salt and Organic rose hip scrub in them. Tony and I figured we could find a way to specially package this cute, delicious smelling, lotion bar in an Eco friendly way.
                                      ~~~~~~~

           I have heat sealed These delicious morsels in 100% Sustainably plant derived fiber, biodegradable cellophane bags.
(Holy cow, tongue twister anyone? :)Which makes them completely COMPOST-ABLE, even in a home system in just weeks, unlike petrol based plastics!

I wanted them to be just a little more special and bedded them with a cushion of Bath salt mixes or delicious calming teas (depending on which one it is). I have bedded this particular one with Calendula Tea, good for a bath soak or mild tea, and pairs well with this cocoa butter lotion bar. It is a common healing flower good for irritated, or dry skin.

~~~~I plan to include these in Holidays Shows this season, so there will be different things to choose from. Also custom orders are available until the 12th of November if you need them for the holidays.

                                  ~~~~~~~

    I am also making November 12th my deadline for pre-ordering, Which can be done at my etsy shop:

http://www.TheSimpleSiren.etsy.com

We can be contacted through our shop, just leave your name and order information (which items you would like in your order and how many), and I will list a reserve for you through our etsy shop.


I can guarantee orders purchased by November 12 to arrive by December 25th, or December 20th this year. Please let me know if you need these by a different date.




We hope everyone is enjoying their beautiful fall!
~ Kat & Tony

Why Organic? First, An Energetic View

One of the most common questions that I receive as an herbalist, and as a conscious artist is:   "Why is Organic better?"

Well that is pretty simple: Because it is!

I'm purely joking of course, because I can hardly believe that you would take my word for it, without something to back it up, right? You are no fool and I will not underestimate your intelligence.

First what we should ask ourselves is "What makes Organic and Factory Farmed different from one another?"

Here is where we find very drastic and detrimental differences; Where agribusiness in commercial agriculture is AT ODDS with Nature, Organic strives to replenish the environment as we take from it and succeeds in keeping a healthy, renewable Earth cycle. People often find, that when they turn to Organic, their experience is tastier, more filling, and overall they get healthier results.The stigma that "Organic is grass food for hippies" is just that, a
stigma made by people who don't want the competition from real whole foods.


The picture to your Right, demonstrates this very well. This is what is called "Kirlian Photography", which can be used to view a living thing's Electro Magnetic Field, an energy field we all have, but cannot see with the naked eye (well some can but this will be a topic for one of my next threads).

This type of EMF photography was discovered by Russian scientists Semyon and Valentina Kirlian. During an experiment, they accidentally touched camera film through an electrical current that had been generated by connecting two metal electrodes to an electrical source. After Developing the film, they saw a glow round the hand that they thought was the life force. This is what cultures all over the planet call: the aura of living things. But also applies to things like crystals, rock, metal and minerals inanimate things that seem to have their own life force (perhaps it is because they were once living?). Currently EMF study has been a hot topic for environmental sciences and is key in learning about the connections with the world energy grid.

EMF is really, light as photon activity created by what your DNA ( and all molecules) takes in, (food, vitamins, sunlight, exercise, etc.) and the healthier you are the brighter your field is (some liken it to a 'life force'). Many scientists and energy workers say that before you become physically ill, the problem shows up first in your auric field (EMF).


Big Agribusiness are more concerned with yield in the short term than they are with how their practices affect the very environment that they are growing in (AND WE LIVE IN!). The short and long term results are depleted, nutrient lacking soil,  higher pest and disease problem, half dead food, higher pollution and ground water contamination, the list goes on and on.

~~~(Take Cocoa beans for example; cocoa has a very high chemical and heavy metal absorbancy properties, which wouldn't be a problem since we don't want to mix things like lead with our Chocolate---But we do! And we don't even realize it. The equipment used to harvest cocoa in factory farming setting, are usually run with petrol or other lead and chemical based fuel, which works in close proximity to the cocoa beans, and the beans, soak up all the lead and heavy metals from the exhaust from the machinery.)~~~ Sourced from "Scientific America".

The only way to demand that these practices be stopped is to attempt to live a more Organic lifestyle, recreate our communities and once again form bonds with our fellow beings.
These "necessary measures" that big Agro claim to, are always remedied by adding more chemicals and pesticides, and hence a vicious, vicious cycle for dead plants, dead food with no EMF, and ultimately a sick planet with sick people.

 Now think what might happen if everything you ate, everything from the soil it grows in to the surrounding trees that shade it, had an EMF like the broccoli on the right instead of the left...That doesn't seem so healthy does it? Our own DNA takes in the Photo activity (EMF light) of the food you eat. The more photon activity present (apparently) in your food, (due to quality and certain qualities of foods like pink Himalayan Salts) the more is said to be taken into your DNA, or affects your DNA which actively REPAIRS ( & some claim, evolves) your DNA. How cool is that? If there is even a chance, isn't it worth it?

Just think, every time you buy imported fruit and veggies instead of picking local and in season, you are promoting premature harvesting and old food. Food without any life force --- what if we all supported our local farmers, cared for our natural resources and put an end to chemicals and pollutants in our environment?

                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What could our world have the potential to be? Free from sickness, from starvation, from loneliness...

The world literally rests in our hands...

I challenge ANYONE to take the test, and compare what you experience with free range and organic.

 Stay tuned for more "Why Organic?" as we explore the growing issues of our life experiences on this planet, the only one we have, she is beautiful, and so are we! Let's keep it that way!

~Namaste~

                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shampoo Bars on the way!

   
    We cannot wait to release our organic shampoo bars, solid shampoo for your travel convenience.
We are loving this stuff and have replaced our own personal bottled shampoos with these convenient container-free shampoo!

           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Beautiful flower shaped 8 oz bars in our Citrus and Jasmine Ohio Beeswax Shampoo bars with a lovely French Milled flower petal and Organic citrus peel.

 

Will be available in other shapes and scents and our original Rustic rough cut bars.

Upcoming scents:

Lemon Patchouli --Great Unisex Scent!

Straight Citrus

Sugared Vanilla

Pumpkin Spice

Cucumber

And many More!

Stay tuned for our soap samplers this week!