Featured Artist - Reef Botanicals and Friends

Good Morning,

Today we have switched up the blog a little bit and will begin the week with a wonderful and multifaceted Artists Larissa and Erick, a husband and wife creative duo.

What Erik and Larissa say about themselves:
We are Larissa and Eric, the makers of our high quality, all natural handcrafted soaps and other indulgences. We do not use any pre-made bases, but make all of our products ourselves, from our own recipes, with our own four hands, in small batches. We use only the finest all-natural ingredients in our bath and beauty products, to give you a luxurious bath experience. We therefore do not use synthetic fragrance oils, only essential oils. The same standard is held for colorants, and the colors you see in our bath and beauty products come only from the ingredients themselves or safe, natural additives. Most of our soaps are suitable for vegans and/or vegetarians, and those are noted for your convenience. None of our products have been or will ever be tested on animals. 

Summer is here and I know many of us are concerned about the environment, our carbon footprints and the creatures we interact with.  One of my favroite items from Reef Botanicals is this natural Insect Repellent.

Buzz Off Insect Repellent

Our 100% natural insect repellent smells great and is a terrific alternative to Deet-laden products to repel mosquitoes and ticks.
We rely only on ten different essential oils in a grape seed oil base, to ensure that it's safe and doesn't contain any poisons.
Plus, grape seed oil is great for your skin!  It's got astringent properties, that make it useful in toning the skin.  It can also be used in treating acne and many other skin problems.  It provides nourishment to the skin and aids in skin repair, plus it protects from the sun and is used in sunscreens.  Grape seed oil has antiseptic and moisturizing properties, and because it is very light, it’s easily absorbed by the skin.
8 oz.
*See product page for complete list of ingredients.

They also make wonderful soaps and candles.

Lilac Square Pillar Candle

Lilac is my very favorite flower, the one I was most happy to be able to carry in my wedding bouquet.  There's just nothing else like it, and it's been captured in these gorgeous floral candles.  Each candle is two layers, two of the colors of lilacs, but the scent runs all the way through, beginning to end.

Bewitching and wonderfully fragrant, they are a terrific addition to any home.  

 

Reef Botanicals candles maintain their beauty and fragrance from top to bottom, throughout their long lives.

 

This listing is for one 4.5" square pillar candle, pictured to the rear left of the photo above.

 

Busy folks, this pair.  Not only do they hand make their own bath and beauty products their interests and hobbies stretch far and wide with Fabric of My Mind, from hand knitted designs to photography, you can find it in the shop.

Designer Knitted Green Dinosaur Scarf

My Daffy the Dinosaur, who loves to snuggle, is just chomping at the bit to come home with you and become a companion for you child, as well as a stylish accessory.
You won't find anything like him anywhere else in the world, as he's entirely my design, and with him, your child will be the coolest kid on the block.  Entirely hand-knitted and sewn of washable wool that won't felt, I've made him with a bottom jaw to give him teeth and make him a toy as well as a soft, warm scarf.
Please note that although he did try to eat my head while photographing him, he was just hungry and untrained, not vicious.  We've since discovered that his favorite food is yarn, so he's quite safe to be around children.
100% Superwash Wool
Care:  Machine was cold, gentle cycle, lay flat to dry
Created in a smoke-free, pet-friendly home
Daffy is approximately 48" long so the kiddos won't trip on him. 
Hand-knitted in a pet-friendly, smoke free home.
If you would like an adult-sized dinosaur scarf (5'6"), please contact me, as I can create one just for you.  Adult scarf:  $125.00

Hot Pink Lily Photograph

 
 
This photograph is of a beautiful hot pink lily that was in my own yard in New Jersey. It was taken on a beautiful sunny day in July of 2010, in Wood-Ridge.  These flowers are so gorgeous and sophisticated.

You will receive a professionally printed 8x10" print, perfect size for framing and hanging.

The text won't be there, of course.


My favorite thing about this handsome couple is their commitment to hand made.  I don't mean just making something with your hands.  They embarked on a wonderful journey and began to raise to bees.  That's right they have their very own apiary.  Larissa blogs about their experiences, both good and bad with the bees and it is fascinating to take a look into the hive and the life of a bee through a keepers eyes.  You can read about their Hive on the blog: Reef Botanicals

It is almost impossible to share all that they do in one blog post.  You may find, follow, like, favorite and bookmark them at any of the site links below.  Don't forget to check out their shops and see if there isn't something for you or your gift giving needs.

 Reef Botanicals
Fabric of My Mind
Reef Botanicals Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Other sites and hobbies: Larrisa also is a talented face and body art painter you may find her at any of the sites listed below:

Face and Body Art by Larissa
Adventures of a Face Painter - Blog
New Jersey Body Art *18 Over -
Facebook



Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We hope we have encouraged you to see what else Larissa and Erik have up their crafty sleeves.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.