All Natural Soaps from Old Time Farmhouse

"Just John"

What could be more FARMHOUSE STYLE for the bath than HOMEMADE SOAP? 

The kind Grandmother made? . .Not quite. . .Lye soap was used mostly for washing clothes. . .Nope. . .My choice of soaps are made at Old Time Farmhouse. . .the ones that are good to the skin, vegan, and all natural.  

"Sweet Sara"-"Sunflower Sue"-"Country Kate"-"Loveable Lucy"

 

 SOAP. . .SOAP. . .SOAP. . .You see it everywhere. . .

The popularity of homemade soap lately is staggering. . .yet. . .just because they're homemade doesn't guarantee they won't be harmful to your skin. . .As in all things, a little research will go a long way in uncovering which soaps are good for the body and your health as well. . .

I'm no stranger to soap research. . .Several years ago I began a medical treatment that ruled out the use of many topical products on the market. . .No more preservatives of any kind. . .No more salicylates. . .No more this. . .No more that. . .What I ended up with was the very basics. . .and that included soap. . .The only brand I could use was Ivory--99 PURE. . .I did try a few homemade soaps, not knowing the difference in them. . .None were well tolerated. . .

Fast forward to our recent visit with Cindy at OLD TIME FARMHOUSE in Kentucky. . .

Of course, I had to see her home which included a tour of her amazing soap-making room. . .I learned so much about soap that day, including the differences in quality and ingredients that go in them. . .I wondered if maybe I could use them. . .Cindy must have been reading my mind because as we were leaving, she had a big brown bag of her very special soaps for us. . .

All I can say is:

"Move over Ivory". . .You have competition. . .!!!!

I LOVE these soaps. . .They are good for my skin. . .and I've had NO reactions to them at all. . .Each one is all natural with ingredients such as: Olive Oil, Palm Oil. Coconut Oil. Caster Oil, Mango Butter, Lavender Oil, Honey, Oatmeal, Almond Oil, Cinnamon & Spices, Vitamin E--just to name a few. . . I also love that Cindy treats her soaps like family. . .She's named each one of them. . .names like JUST JOHN (which John swears was named after him), SWEET SARA, SUNFLOWER SUE, COUNTRY KATE, LOVEABLE LUCY, HARVEST HANNAH, MISS ROSEMARY.

Cindy sells her soaps on Etsy at OLD TIME PICKERS. . .Follow the link and check it out. . .And while you're there, take a look at Cindy's RUST & CRUST & WEATHERED FINDS for sale, too. . .Always a treat. . .

Do I sound like a commercial? . .(grin). . .I'm not. . .Simply passing on a little wisdom to you. . .What are friends for? . . In fact, I plan to feature more finds/products here at Our Old Country Store this year. . .And, hopefully I'll be expanding OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE beyond rag rug looms. . .to offer a few more items for your own  'FARMHOUSE'. . .If you have any suggestions or requests, please email us. . .We'd love hearing your ideas. . .

Til next time, My Friends

WISHING YOU. . .

MAY ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS DREAMS COME TRUE. . .

 



Anna's Rag Rug Purse

"What else can I make with my rag rugs?"

I get this question pretty often.

Here is one crafty young lady who didn't have to ask. . .

 

 

Isn't Anna's Rag Rug Purse adorable?

 

Her Grandmother bought a loom from John last Christmas. . .and Anna has been Rag Rugging ever since. . .weaving the traditional rugs, while venturing out to design other crafts with them, too. . .Obviously, Anna thinks 'outside the box'. . .Maybe she's a Kindred Spirit. . .I'm not an 'inside the box' kind of person either. . .

Kindred Spirit or not, she's definitely an inspiration, isn't she?

 

Anna's Grandmother Nancy recently emailed me the photos. . .with a short note:

 

Hello Dru. I had photos of my granddaughter with the first rug she made on the loom I purchased from you last Christmas, but somehow can't locate them right now. But I did want you to see the clever purse she made on her loom. She has enjoyed that loom so so much! It was the perfect gift for our creative girl!

Nancy Kemp

Delta Crossroads

Editor

 

I was thrilled to hear from them and to know that a Delta craft is being passed on to the younger generation. . .

Sure makes all our hard work worthwhile.

 

 

Thanks so much, Anna, for sharing your purse with us!

I'm sure others will be inspired, too. . .I may just have to make one for myself!

 

 



LET'S TALK BUSINESS

   Creative Rug Studio

         Traditional Hand Twined Rugs for your Home

 

"Of the many types of rag rugs that became popular about 1850, twined rag rugs are more durable and beautiful than most. It is possible to incorporate intricate designs that are rarely found in other types of rag rugs."

 

I have shown Mary Zurich's Rag Rugs several times during the last few years. . .Now, she has a WEBSITE! . . .and an ETSY SHOP. . .This lady is serious about her craft. . .as she should be! . . .I love the combinations she uses both in color and fabric choices. . .See what you think. . .

 

Creative Rug Studio--SALTWATER TAFFY



Creative Rug Studio--MINT JULIP



Creative Rug Studio--BLUEBERRY MUFFIN

Creative Rug Studio--APRICOT TART

I've had numerous inquiries from other Rag Rug artists who are interested in starting a business. . .questions such as 'What do I charge?'. . .'Where do I sell?'. . .'What's popular?'  The thing I've found is that 'it all depends'. . .As with any business, you have to find your niche. . .And, it's often a trial and error situation at the beginning. . .That goes for craft shows, boutiques, gift shops as well as online places of business.

 

I don't sell my rugs but at one time I did make a living designing, making, and selling girls clothing. . .It took a lot of disappointing shows to find the ones for me. . .Likes and tastes were so different in this one state. . .Our own Delta area was a so-so venue. . .Yet, I could travel to the Ozarks and have a sell out every time I set up. . .It was a good lesson learned that I've carried through life. . .Don't give up. . .If you like your product and would buy it, then there are those out there who will do the same. . .Life is a learning experience. . .Some of us get more learning experiences than we want, but it all evens out eventually.

 

As for Mary, with her talent and eye for color, we know she'll be a hit. . .

John and I wish her a long and prosperous journey with her new business.

 

Visit Mary at: CREATIVE RUG STUDIO

OR

at: CREATIVE RUG STUDIO @ ETSY

 

If you have a Rag Rug business utilizing our looms, email us and we may feature you in the future. . .It's always nice to know what your doing!

 

 

 



Tip for Weaving Those Last Few Rows

 

 

I must admit, the last few rows of weaving a Rag Rug can be frustrating.

It slows me down. . .besides the pull on my shoulders and can cause my hands to ache.

I probably feel the pull more than most of you,

unless you have fibromyalgia and/or arthritis.

 

One day I was shopping yard sales and happened upon a package of  vintage Bodkins.

I haven't seen these in ages. . .Do they still make them?

If so, I bet they're more than 39c on the package or the 10c I paid.

 

I brought them home with weaving in mind. . .

In the past I've used a large 'bobby pin'. . .so I was pretty certain this would work better.

And. . .it DOES!

 

There were two in the package. . .The one with the loop was a little harder to thread. . .

I used one for each strip I was weaving and zipped right through those last rows.

 

 

 

John has decided--when he has a little more time--that he'll try making a few of these in a size that would accommodate the wider weaving strips. . .In the meantime, check with a fabric store or Hobby Lobby or other craft store. . .I'm sure they still make Bodkins. . .I had just never thought about using them.

It took a yard sale for me to say, "Duh. . .Why didn't I think of this before?"

 

Hope it works for you!!!