Hurray! Crocheters love Lotion Bars!

We've made our debut in Crochet Today! magazine! Not only that, but our Honeybee Lotion Bars and Nanny Goat Milk soaps are charmingly included under the title, "We Love It!"--picks for gifts for the holiday season. We are so happy to be entering the fiber/knitter/crocheter market! Thank you Fiesta Yarns for taking us to market with you.

Organic Calendula Harvest Glows

The Organic extra virgin olive oil in my Nanny Goat Milk Soaps, and the almond oil in my Honeybee Lotion Bars are infused with local, now Certified Organic calendula, grown by Heather Harrell and Kristin Davenport.

I wish I was a better photographer; it is so hard to do justice to this stunning fresh-dried calendula that seems to glow with its own inner light. It is shockingly beautiful, and when it is infused into oil, it will impart its healing resin as well as some of its color, leaving the oil a darker orange color. This is one of the "secrets" of my products. This little herb adds no scent (it smells like alfalfa when dried), but has powerful benefits:

"Calendula is a plant extract that has been used throughout history in skin preparations. Calendula is beneficial for dry or damaged skin and also promotes the fast healing and regeneration of the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. According to YourHealth.com, applying calendula topically is effective for decreasing inflammation and promoting the healing of wounds, burns, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions." (source)

I'm in the process of ordering large quantities of oils; the fresh-dried flowers will go right into the oil, which will preserve its properties (leaving them in the air will slowly render them less potent). Then I'll pour off this rich infused concentration to blend with the pure oils, and that oil will go right into my products, and out to you.

By the way, my business is growing, and this is enabling me to support more local farmers. Heather Harrell, once my sole source of calendula, will now be joined by Kristin Davenport and Becky of SunStar Herbs.

An Ode to Udders

My three girls are very different when it comes to udders--just like women and their breasts. I've been doing a lot of milking-instruction lately, and those poor beginners, just when the get the hang of it on one set of udders, the next girl steps up, and it's completely different getting milk out of her. They all produce yummy milk in great abundance though. Top to bottom: Sula, Autumn, and our new girl Baby (who has the best textbook udders).

Exciting Partnership with Fiesta Yarns

Jeannie Duncan, owner of Fiesta Yarns, with Amy Olson, VP of Marketing

I am thrilled to announce that Milk and Honey has partnered with Fiesta Yarns, to distribute our Honeybee Lotion bar to the knitting world. Fiesta yarns is an Albuquerque-based international yarn company that specializes in luscious hand dyed yarn beloved by knitters far and wide. As you may know, I am a knitter myself, and I have had fiber artists of all kinds tell me how perfect my Honeybee Lotion Bar is for their hands. Handling fiber can draw moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable to cracks. Of course our Lotion Bar not only soothes and softens that dry skin, but the oils absorb so quickly, that you can go right back to your fiber work without getting lotion or oil on your project. Our lotion is also non-reactive with dyes--something Fiesta Yarn lovers particularly appreciate, as they are working with their lushly-colored, hand-dyed yarns.

Our Honeybee Lotion Bars will be available to knitting stores and catalogs through Fiesta Yarns, as well as traveling with Fiesta to such exciting knitting events as Stitches Midwest next month.


Knitting and Honeybee Lotion Bars go together like sheep and yarn!

The Goats' New Home, Part 1

In early August, my goats will be moving to a new home in Agua Fria Village, about four miles down the road from where I live. I am thrilled to be part of a working horse farm, where folks come to do therapeutic work with the animals. Beekeeping friend/supplier Steve Wall keeps some hives there too.

I am in the process of converting a chicken coop into a Goat Dream Palace. This will be the third--no the fourth goat barn I have built or retrofitted, and I realize I now have a pretty good system. I will be posting more pics as we progress, but for today, I received a load of 30 straw bales for insulating the barn (also makes it so pretty and peaceful inside! And is yummy, I think, for the goats to snuggle up against in the winter) and 12 bales of protein-rich alfalfa. The pic here shows the first laying out of the bales inside. I'll snap another pic of the completed interior. Turns out I'll need about 15 more bales to really line the walls to the roofline. There is a sweet little window one wall complete with a shutter that opens or latches shut. I plan to install a feeder within the window, so I can just put flakes of hay right in from the outside. Cute!

I've taken this move as an opportunity to purchase some new tools, like my wheelbarrow pictured here, a rake and a shovel, parts for my drill, a new tarp, etc. I guess these things are hardly worth mentioning really, but they are the tools of the farm, the brass tacks.

Tomorrow friends Janeen (who milks once a week for me) and Claude will help out for a couple of hours. We'll expand the size of the yard a bit, continue cleaning/mucking from the former chickens, and secure the strawbales with fencing.

Look for tomorrow's progress report!

Smelling Like a Rose

I am smelling like a rose . . . and sandlewood, and local pinon and tulsi and redwoods . . .

I have just returned from a visit with Christa Obuchowski, our local, world-reknowned aromatherapist, herbalist, perfumist and font of knowledge of exotic plants, scents, cosmetics, etc. etc. etc. Do I sound a little wowed? Yes I am.

Christa, who collaborates with Ashana at Agua de Flora Botanicals to create scent blends, botanical perfumes, and the essential oil blends for the custom soaps I make for them, is working with me to develop my first custom essential oil blend for my Honeybee Lotion Bars. We are looking for something with the feel of vanilla--itself a very expensive, rare essential oil. When you use something vanilla scented, it is most likely a synthetic fragrance oil. However, vanillin exists in many other plants and can be extracted and isolated. People love the scent of vanilla, Christa explained to me, because it reminds one of "mother's milk"--comforting, sweet, safe. How perfect is that?

Leaving her studio--which was like a mysterious palace filled with the scents of exotic places from India to Germany, as well as our own native New Mexico, my head started to spin with ideas for Milk and Honey. A high-end line of lotion bars, packaged in stunning, custom tins, scented with unique organic oil blends . . . transitioning to all organic essential oils for all my products . . . collaborating with Christa to create special soaps scented with local pinon--which is healing for the skin . . .

More to come--stay tuned!

IV the Bath

On Monday I visited this lovely new soap and bath boutique, IV the Bath, right in the heart of Albuquerque's Old Town, just steps from the Plaza. Named in honor of their son, Charles M. High, IV, who died fighting in Afghanistan last year, Sheri and Charles have created a charming shop with colorful, yummy smelling products from bubble baths and shea butter salves to popular bath bombs, and of course, Milk and Honey's Nanny Goat Milk Soaps and Honeybee Lotion Bars.

Although they have already been open for a few months or so, today is their Grand Opening, featuring live music, face painting for children, and a gift basket giveaway. They will also be collecting donations for Blue Star Mothers. Take an afternoon to visit IV the Bath and all the lovely businesses that share the small plaza where they have their store. It's a great slice of old Albuquerque, right behind the grand Albuquerque Museum. After you buy a rubber duck bath soap (that lights up when you rub it!), and a Honeybee Lotion Bar, you can visit the magic shop or toy store next store, discover local crafts, or eat some ice cream around the corner. Bring your out of town guests, or just treat yourself.

Their website is still under construction, but you can find them at 505-842-5449/email
328 San Felipe NW



Best of luck Charles and Sheri!

Test Run: Introducing our Honeybee Anywhere Balm

“Anywhere Balm”—we could call it just “lip balm” but the truth is, just like our lotion bars, you can use it anywhere: lips, feet, cuticles, elbows, dry skin. Our half-ounce Anywhere Balm answers the call of our customers: “I want something small to carry in my purse. . . on the plane. . . in my car!” As with our signature Honeybee Lotion Bar, we use only local beeswax; local, organically-grown calendula, almond oil, coconut oil, and plant-based, pure essential oils.

Anywhere Balm will make its little debut tomorrow at the Saturday Farmers Market, in the luscious, calming-yet-inspiring blend of Lavender & Mint. For $3, this little honey (Ooooh, a perfect pun!) goes in your pocket and goes home with you. Stay tuned to see if it appears on Milkandhoneysoap.com!

Thank You Kitchen Angels

The goats feasted on food scraps from the generous and community-minded Kitchen Angels this afternoon. Autumn and Sula will be regular recipients of their generosity this summer!

You can watch a video (well, I like to call it "a short film") of my goats enjoying this bounty!

Wanted: Energetic Sales Person for Milk and Honey

I'm hiring! Job description below:

Wanted: Energetic Sales Person for expanding Farmer’s Market-based business.

Note: Position closes on May 13; I will contact those selected for interview after that date. I will not be able to respond to individual inquiries.
Pay: $12/hour after first month, firm. Salesperson will be an independent contractor responsible for his/her own taxes.

Skills must include:
Outgoing, friendly personality
Skilled at Sales
Comfort with retail environment
Professional and neat, but comfortable physical presentation
Ability to handle some heavy lifting
Reliable
Organized
Flexible
Multi-tasker
Autonomous
Available via email and cell phone
Use of your vehicle for transporting set-up (station wagon/hatchback/truck/van)

Job Description
Part-time
There are various venues that this job may grow to include:
Saturday and Tuesday Farmers Markets (7-noon)
Other Farmers Markets (Abq, Taos, etc)
In-store demos (Whole Foods and other markets)
Assisting at trade shows (some travel)
Craft shows and fairs

Visit my website, milkandhoneysoap.com, to view the products and learn about the business.

My ideal candidate for this job will respect the product and our customers, be committed to the values of Milk and Honey (local, natural, agricultural), be comfortable actively selling, talking about and promoting the product, working in a (at times) fast-paced retail environment, and have flexibility as new events arise. Additional hours could be available in product production and assembly.

My business is growing. If you are an asset to my business, I will be able to build more events (and hours) around you to help grow my business. This is a ground-floor opportunity.

Pay: $12/hour after first month training/trial period @$10/hour.

Mother's Day is Everyday at Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey is founded on mothers--our most valuable employees--the goats! Their rich milk is the centerpiece of our luscious soap, contributing it's properties as moisturizing, mild & nutritive: ideal for people with sensitive skin, or for anyone who loves a pure, gentle cleanser.

The Queen Bee: Mother of the Hive

Let's not forget the bees--every hive is headed by its Queen Bee, who is literally the mother of the hundreds of (female) worker bees who make the honey and beeswax. Nanny Goat Milk Soap contains these miraculous products, known for sealing in moisture and soothing irritating skin. And of course, our Honeybee Lotion Bar is all about the beeswax.

Our Mother & Baby bars honor the bond of the the nursing mother & babe

Our Mother & Baby was the first custom mold design we created, over three years ago. We worked with local sculptor Stephanie Huerta to create this voluptuous, timeless image--it honors the work of all mothers, as nurturers, providers and loving guardians. Not unsurprisingly, people often mistake this image for an angel--I don't correct them. The baby is definitely an angel; so is its mother.

Happy Mothers Day!

Welcome New Retailers!

El Rancho de los Golondrinas is now carrying Milk and Honey soaps, lotion bars & Sula Goats in their gift shop!

Milk and Honey debuted at the Albuquerque Oasis Gift Show last weekend, and is thrilled to announce that Nanny Goat Milk Soaps and Honeybee Lotion Bars will now be available in fourteen new retail shops! We encourage you to visit and patronize these folks!

All Seasons; Red River, NM
B. Alan Hair Studio; Cordes Lakes, AZ
Candlewood Cards & Gifts; Carlsbad, NM
Canyon Shadows Trading Co.; Amarillo, TX
CWW Feed Store & More; Jemez Springs, NM
Fiesta Yarn
Galerie Azul; Mesilla, NM
Galerie Ortega; Chimayo, NM
Hondo Iris Farm & Gallery; Hondo, NM
Kokopelli Jewelry; Ft. Worth, TX
Pueblo Southwest; Lakeside, AZ
El Rancho de los Golondrinas; Santa Fe, NM
San Antonio General Store; San Antonio, NM
Walatowa Visitor Center; Jemez Springs, NM

Hearts + Hands for Japan

"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts." (Shakespeare)

Milk and Honey is proud to be part of a long list of over 80 independent studios, artists and businesses contributing to the Hearts + Hands raffle to help Japan. This effort, organized by letterpress artist Lynn Russell of Satsuma Press, will sell $10 raffle tickets from now until April 6. 100% of the proceeds will go to relief efforts for Japan via Save the Children and Shelter Box.

Lynn says, "What has happened and is happening in Japan is heartbreaking – and I believe there are ways, both big and small, to help. There are so many people doing all they can to help. This is just what I think I can do, with the help of these amazing, talented friends – from the heart, made by our hands. I believe that what we can to together is more than what each one of us can do alone. "

I encourage you to buy many raffle tickets, peruse the links to all the incredible participating artists, spread the word about the raffle, or be inspired to create your own unique fundraiser to support the people of Japan.

You can also buy a raffle ticket by using this direct link to paypal.

Our Products can help Psoriasis & Excema

Research has shown that the magic combination of honey, beeswax and olive oil may relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema--this is consistent with feedback from our own customers who have used our Honeybee Lotion Bars particularly, but of course our Nanny Goat Milk Soaps are made of this natural combination as well.

Alan France, who retails my lotion bars at his store El Rancho de Nambe, says they have helped his partner with psoriasis:

"We're using less of his expensive medications because your lotion bar is helping so much."

See our blog post from 9/4/10, "Lotion Bar helps Girl with Eczema."

Here are some of the findings from this research as reported by the Bastyr Center for Natural Health:

"The participants with eczema who had had no prior treatment applied a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax to the affected areas on one half of the body, and Vaseline to the affected areas on the other side of the body three times per day for two weeks. Those with eczema who were using corticosteroids prior to the study applied a combination of a steroid cream and the honey mixture to one side of the body, and a Vaseline and steroid cream mixture to the other side of the body three times per day for two weeks. . . Among the participants with eczema who had used no prior treatment, 80% had a significant improvement using the honey mixture; the amounts of itching, scaling, and oozing had the most profound improvements. Among those participants with eczema who had used a steroid cream prior to the study, a combination of the honey mixture and steroid cream led to substantial reductions in steroid doses in almost half of the participants. The honey mixture resulted in a marked improvement in 63% of the participants with psoriasis who had had no prior treatment.

Honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help to decrease pain and the appearance of scars, and that lead to faster wound healing. Olive oil also has antibacterial properties and the ability to inhibit substances that lead to inflammation. Olive oil and honey both contain flavonoids that help protect cells and inhibit histamine (a substance involved in allergic reactions). Beeswax has anti-inflammatory properties and is often included in formulas to treat burns and other skin conditions."

No wonder honey, beeswax and olive oil make such yummy and soothing skin care products!

I had a whirlwind weekend selling at the Santa Fe Farmers Market on Saturday morning, heading down to Albuquerque to demo at Whole Foods in the afternoon; then another demo at the Indian School WF on Sunday--Maria Bustamante, Marketing Specialist for WFM sent out this email and link:


"Take a look at the raw video we shot today at our Whole Body /Bakery/Meal local vendor fair today on the floor! Thank you to Daven Lee for the beautiful interview—we love your products!"

Whole Foods Indian School Facebook Page

"Homegrown: Woman sees goat-milk soap business boom"

In the Santa Fe New Mexican today:

"As milkmaid Daven Lee looks forward to her sixth season at the Santa Fe Farmers' Market and copes with the sudden growth of her wholesale business, she barely has time to catch a breath. She's a single mother of two who for the last few years has single-handedly run her lotion bar and soap business, Milk and Honey. On top of that, Lee also milks her two Nubian goats daily to provide the most important ingredient in her products. "

Read the whole article!

I'm giving a marketing workshop tonight!

Effectively Marketing Yourself and Your Products
Farmers Market Institute Workshop
Co-presented by Daven Lee

The Farmers Market Institute will be presenting a free workshop on "effectively marketing yourself and your products at the Market" to be held TONIGHT at 6pm at the FM Pavillion.
Co-presenters include T.C Gritt, former produce manager for Whole Foods Market and Deborah Madison, well-known chef and cookbook author.

Getting customer attention through product presentation and consumer interaction

Daven's presentation will include:

Why do people shop at the Farmers Market and how can vendors help them?

Products do not sell themselves:

* Use language
* Tell the story of your products/business
* show your human side
* connect with your customer

How to do it

* Use body language to project success
* attract people into your booth
* keep them in your booth
* multiply your customers

Tonight!
For more information, contact David Henderson at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute, 505-983-7726.

Daven's presentation is based on the work of Bruce Baker, while using specific techniques and approaches that she has learned over five years of vending at the Santa Fe Farmers Market.

Valentine's Foot Rub for your Sweetie!

I'm speaking from experience, here--ahem--that using my lotion bar to give your sweetie a foot massage, is a lovely, sensual & romantic thing to do on a special day like today!

Also, found this in the March 2011 issue of Whole Living:

Why do my heels crack in winter?

Fissures are a severe form of dry skin. Cold air outside and dry heat inside allow water to escape faster than in the summer, says Neil Sadick, M.D., a dermatologiest in NYC. We may also neglect our feet when they're covered. To heal and prevent cracks, apply a heavy cream with shea butter or ointment with glycerine [OR MILK AND HONEY LOTION BAR WITH BEESWAX AND CALENDULA] right after a shower, and seal it in with socks.

I recommend you do this before bed so the lotion bar can soak in overnight; or apply as described, with sweetheart.

Introducing Nina!

Yesterday, President Obama called on American businesses to "Ask yourselves what you can do to hire American workers, to support the American economy, and to invest in this nation." Well it so happens, Milk and Honey is growing and hiring American workers! I am having the pleasure of employing two wonderful women, Nina and Elyzabeth to help not only with selling at Market, but actually making product, and learning about every aspect of production. Here is Nina's story:

"I imagine most of you readers have by now seen Milk and Honey’s booth at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. If so, you can recall the large crowd always surrounding it. Well about 3 years ago, I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about. I started with one of her lavender-rosemary soaps. It was more creamy and hydrating than any other bath product I’d tried. I had really no idea soap could be like that. The smell was heavenly. I felt genuinely pampered. It made my own little shower feel like a decedent spa. The yummy essential oils left a therapeutic perfume on my skin that was not over powering, but soothing and lasting. I was instantly hooked and it didn’t take me long to move onto the lotion bars.

"Daven took me under her wing last fall. We had been working at the Saturday and Tuesday Farmers’ Markets together for the last few years, and we’d built a sweet friendship. (I was the one selling the coffee and burritos and haggling with her 8-year-old son). I found myself to be natural sales person for Milk and Honey, due to my grand enthusiasm of the products. I started working the Tuesday markets for Daven and couldn’t wait to meet the goats and get into the lab.

"I have now been acquainted with all aspects of the business. The more I learn, the more my enthusiasm grows. Daven’s lab/office/home is where we spend most of our time. There, with her two kitties and two fabulous children. Usually with a fire going and the radio on, “fueled” as Daven would say by chocolate covered almonds. It’s a nurturing, fun, organized, and inspiring environment to work in. It’s sincerely a treat to work for such a together and conscientious proprietor. As Daven mentions in her mission statement, “the passion to create a meaningful life will inspire others to do the same.” I can say with pleasure that this has been achieved."

Beekeeping Classes from Steve Wall

My good friend and collaborator, Steve Wall (see post 12/16/10, "Reflections on Local") is offering beekeeping classes. This is the perfect time to start planning for spring bees. See below:

Dear Wannabeekeeper,

Thank you for showing interest in learning to keep bees and to Bee-ing Part Of The Global Solution. I've been keeping bees for 14 years and I still continue learning about bees and loving the whole process. This Spring, I will teach classes for beginning beekeepers.

These classes will take a fast-track approach to getting you into the hobby without a huge commitment of time and money. You will learn all you need to become an informed beekeeper by attending only one 5-hour class at $75 (other beekeeping classes require multiple classes and start at $300). If you so choose, you can also purchase the hives and bees that you will need from me at a discounted price for my class attendees. See the attached flier or my website, www.buckinbee.com, for more details about these classes and equipment.

Class Fee - $75 with a non-refundable $50-deposit to reserve your place in the class.
Make your check payable to Steve Wall and indicate your class date choice on the memo section of your check.
- Class size is limited, so please register early
Date/Time/Place - Sunday, April 3rd or Sunday, April 17th (choose one)
10 am - 3 pm (bring a lunch)
Held at La Mariposa Montessori School, 18 Puesta Del Sol in Santa Fe (just south of I25 off Old Pecos Trail)

Subjects covered will include:
• Pros and cons of both Langstroth hives and Top Bar hives.
• Establishing a bee colony
• Sustainable beekeeping methods
• Care and feeding of bees
• Bee Biology
• Hive Construction
• Swarm prevention and management
• Disease management
• Harvesting Techniques

I look forward to sharing the thrill of beekeeping with you.

Sincerely,

Steve Wall
Buckin' Beekeeper

"Alchemy, music, cooking and unadulterated joy . . . "

Great article about my friends at Agua de Flora in Hawaii. I make soaps for them from their custom blends, available for purchase on their website.

"Perfumery, as described by [Ashana] Morrow, is a combination of alchemy, music, cooking and unadulterated joy. Each component is considered on its own, but also in conjunction with others. A single note is just one part of a labyrinthine whole and with expertise and perhaps a little luck, they work together to create a complex harmony."

Read more (scroll down to heading "Scent from Above.")

Our First Investors!

Here we are in our finest fines to celebrate the first investment in Milk and Honey!

It all began at the ice rink, where I met and skated with Stephen almost daily at the lunch time session. Later, Stephen coached my son Simon during his first season in hockey. Then last Christmas, a mysterious package arrived for Simon containing a beginner's Dungeons and Dragons kit--from Stephen. He was then recruited to teach both Simon and Roan (and me . . . ) how to play D&D. . . which led to dinners at Janet and Stephen's on Sundays . . . which has led to their investing in my business!

This is a very momentous step for Milk and Honey; I am growing by leaps and bounds, with many exciting opportunities, ideas and plans. I have decided to conduct a "Friends and Family" investment offering to my, well, friends, family and loyal customers, with a particular focus on micro-investments (starting at $2500). My new business plan and feasibility study, as partially funded through my USDA grant, is almost complete. This plan will give investors a clear idea of where Milk and Honey is headed and why it is such a great opportunity to invest with us.

In the meantime, I did some major shopping: 250lbs of oils, 50 new mold trays, a gorgeous, custom-built storage unit for my inventory, & new full-color lotion bar labels for my tins. I have even been able to bring in two friends to begin to learn to make soap and help package product!

Not a moment too soon, as I am now in all four Whole Foods Markets in New Mexico, I will be attended a wholesale show April (the Oasis Show, Abq), and much more!

"Will your lotion bar help my cracked fingers?"

My customers ask me this every single Saturday in winter, and it's all I can do not to jump over the table, spin them around the dance floor, and say "Yes!"

Yes!

Yes! It will help soothe and heal your cracked fingers, and it will help prevent the cracks! Now, I'm not pushing a miracle here. It's just simple. Beeswax + almond oil + coconut oil softens and protects the skin enough to either prevent the cracks from happening, or enables your skin to recover and heal those cracks. Add in some calendula, which, while we can't legally say it is "healing"--it is an herb used to treat dry skin, rashes, itchiness, burns, etc--it's gotta help with the cracked fingers also. Now, you have to really rub in a concentration of lotion bar on your cracked spot--this is an emergency, after all--and then you can breathe with relief as those cracks heal up.

Give it a try!

Visiting Whole Foods

I have now visited three of the four Whole Foods Markets in New Mexico--my new "territory" for my soaps and lotions. Let me give a shout-out here to Margaret in Albuquerque (Indian School Plaza), Emmy & Amanda in Santa Fe (Cerrillos), and Karyn in Santa Fe (St. Francis). I haven't met with Rob yet (Albuquerque, Academy store), but all the signs indicate he will be awesome too. I just want to say, everyone is so nice, helpful, eager and interested. It has just been an incredibly positive experience. And this seems to be true regardless of which Whole Foods I visit! I took some time to meet John in the Whole Body department in Boulder (Pearl) --shout-out to him too--and he was just as cool.
Here's to Milk and Honey steppin' out! Happy New Year!