my antithesis are these people who boast about the latin names of plants but who can't grow a potato or will never weed a row of peas with their hands dirty at the end of the day.
at college i had a history of the arts class, and really enjoyed it. however, when we were standing in a museum watching stuff on the wall, there was still something missing : the process of making, the organicity.
fortunately, there seems to be more & more a "return to the basics", some intelligent people are not afraid to say that life doesn't happen in books (i'm not saying here than one shouldn't read books !) instead they're ready to share what they know/make, face to face, hand to hand.
L & i went to a few of these worshops this summer, several were held indoors, and most time i didn't bring my camera, but i did when we met valerie stoll at the yves rocher botanical gardens (less than an hour from home) last week to learn some basic knowledge about making cosmetics with plants. valerie owns koantiz and is an expert at using plants for a healing or body-caring purpose.
we learned how to make a simple soothing mint cream. my favorite part was after the distillation in the alembic when the herbal distillate (en français : hydrolat) separates from the essential oil. it would almost make me want to own an alembic !!
if you're interested in making something for your skin, or hair etc... a few related books here & here. and if you're in our area for some vacation you might like to visit the yves rocher site or stay at their eco-hotel
beautiful! That must have been such a great experience for you both. I have never learned to make body care products, but know that I would appreciate them so much if I did. I have always really enjoyed learning the practical healing properties of herbs.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take such a class. What a treat to own a soothing mint cream that you made yourself.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar reaction to all of the talk of concept and critical theory during art school. I graduated and simply wanted to garden and hand build pottery.
oh my goodness! i would absolutely LOVE to spend an afternoon like this! there is so much i could say in this post, but it's really late here so i will make it short. but this post means a lot, especially being a crafty girl myself i can completely relate with you! xo
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely wonderful. What a great experience must that be. And the setting of the workshop outdoor is also so very lovely.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pauline
Beautiful - you are a maker extraordinaire!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'd have love to be there! Je suis allée voir le lien que tu donnes, c'est raté pour cet été mais je le garde dans mes favoris, ce n'est pas bien loin de chez moi non plus! Une amie m'a initiée à la fabrication de crème pour le visage mais je m'en tiens au mélange, je ne sais pas faire l'extraction, les hydrolats et des macérâts. L'été prochain! Merci Valérie :D
ReplyDeleteLove your post Valérie!!!!!! I love to make things with my hands after years looking through the books...but, I must to say you that I love so much latin as well!!!! xoxo
ReplyDeletemmmmuummmmm... and your skin worth the best of the plants, more than your brain of latin :-)
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ReplyDeleteAh le Latin au colège... j'y ai eu droit aussi... un choix, je crois... mais c'est bien loin tout ça...
ReplyDeleteTes photos donnent envie de s'y essayer... et elles sont ravissantes, comme toujours...
xoxo
WOW the pots to make this are even a piece of art. How fun to learn something new. xo
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ReplyDeleteYummy yummy!
ReplyDeleteGreat activity; your body will love it this sweet yummies (>.<)
The metal "pots" are looking very interesting! I liked to try to make soap, but never really find time or better I really don't take my time to do it. (Just for the dogs I did "cosmetic" stuff against parasites,hehehe)
My mom always use Yves Rocher products, but I really can't take that special strange fragrance-smell (seems like all their products smells like that). Now I'm wondering that they have botanical gardens, I always thought they buy products somewhere else and are focus just on perfumes... I will check them more out ;-)
Enjoy the rest of your last vacation days!
(Ups, I have misspelled. So I've removed first entry!)
Coucou Valérie
ReplyDeleteTrès belles photos comme d'habitude !!!
Ta petite potion magique est bien mimi dans son petit pot !
gros bisous et à bientôt ou tu sais !
Wow, Valerie. I adore this post and the beautiful photos. I did latin too.... my mother still laments that I only stuck with it for 3 years and no further!
ReplyDeleteJe ne suis pas tout à fait d'accord avec toi en ce qui concerne le latin et son enseignement (qui n'empêche pas d'aimer aussi mettre les mains dans la terre, sous toutes ses formes!) mais ce n'est pas bien grave! Tes photos sont toujours un régal.
ReplyDeleteTu ne vas pas me croire mais je sais faire du crochet! Peut-être aurons-nous l'occasion de nous voir et de parler petites fleurs, végétales ou crochetées... Bonne rentrée à ta jeune fille.
Incredible experience Valerie! I too would vouch for using my brain to make things than excruciate myself with the other. I am not surprised you both were fulfilled with the experience!
ReplyDeleteNice fotos too and I love the soul and honesty in your writing!
I have a friend who does the distillation. Incredible to witness, even more amazing to have the products!!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to learn something like this...I know what you mean when you say that there seems to be this shift towards wanting to learn how things work, are done, I for one am starting to really enjoy learning about these things.
ReplyDeletethis work shop is so nice. i notice that you two attend
ReplyDeletemany workshop which is nice thing to do together.
i love your idea of making things not just from the book...but also
from others and imagination, hand to hand is the best.