2016 – A new year, a new look! Both in the store and online

Wall Flower Studio - renovating and January re-opening date

Happy to share that we now have brand new shelving and better lighting for the store! We’re working behind the scenes to employ all the space we can in our wee shop, and do look forward to re-opening on Fri. Jan 22. – Do drop in and have a look! If you have been in before, I hope you like the changes. If you haven’t been in yet, well then I ask, why not??? 😉 But seriously, there are many surprises up my sleeve, yet to share over the years to come. 🙂

FYI: Wall Flower Studio’s winter hours, (from reopening until the end of March 2016) will be: Thursday, Friday and Saturday / 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

– Not only will we have an updated look in the shop, but online, too! Though I’m very happy to continue offering our products on Etsy, one goal of mine has always been to have a proper website. I’ll still be blogging here, however the goal has been achieved, so for a sneak peek, visit Wall Flower Studio’s new website: HERE

(FYI -It’s not quite complete, but I’m working hard behind the scenes taking photographs, writing product descriptions, getting products listed, events slated and much more. Launch is set for early February 2016.)

Starting Jan. 22, Wall Flower Studio is the new ‎Minden‬ pick-up location for the ‪Bread‬ & ‪Bagel‬ club. We’re thrilled! For more info, please visit Into the Blue Bakery’s website: HERE

Last but not least, I’m happy to share that we’re now offering a monthly ‪‎newsletter‬! Subscribe for ‪workshops‬, new product launches, & forthcoming events in the ‪#‎shop:‬ HERE

Right now I’m home, busily packaging all kinds of garden seeds, making soap, bitters, fairy furniture, you name it, but am admittedly missing the shop and all the lovely folk who visit, so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my friends and customers all the best for 2016.

Thank you for your kindness, inspiration, and for shopping locally. ~ Karen

fairy furniture at Wall Flower Studio Garden - copyright Karen Sloan

Even the wee folk need to keep warm in the winter!

Fairy garden fireplace

Working on miniature furniture in the shop, today! Just adding the finishing touches to this Fairy fireplace, which is complete with a roaring fire and extra kindling! Thinking that a couple winged back chairs would compliment the hearth very well! We shall see..

Have a lovely Sunday. 🙂

The Autumn Garden winds down for the season – Flowering Friday

These lovely, and very hardy perennial mums have lasted over 3 weeks as cut flowers.

I pinched them from the garden just before we had our first heavy frost.

They’re on their last legs now, but it sure was nice to have an autumn bouquet greet me at the front door each evening as I arrived home from the shop.

As November approaches, frost is another sure sign that winter is knocking on the door.

Happy Flowering Friday!

Scented kindling bundles – Herbal fire starter DIY for campfires and cold nights

Kindling bundles

Herbal fire starters are the perfect way to start the fireplace or wood stove roaring on those cold winter nights.

They’re a splendid way to incorporate the summer garden into a winter holiday tradition!

Use them to light those bonfires and campfires too, as the burning herbs help repel pesky mosquitoes and other insects.

I like to tie one on a bottle of wine, as they make a great addition to any hostess gift!

All kinds of herbs and dried plant material can be incorporated into these bundles.

braided bundles

Many herbs can be dried and used in kindling bundles, including Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Marjoram, Mint, Lemon balm Tansy, Savory, Artemisia, boxwood, Statice flowers, Echinacea, Yarrow, black-eyed Susan seed heads, and even dried licorice plant stems from the hanging baskets.

Simply layer different dried herbs together and tie them with raffia. They can also be braided and hung on the wall, waiting to be used.

I especially like using Lemon Thyme in my bundles. It smells so nice! Again, simply dry it flat on an old tray. Same thing goes for Sage, but hanging it up to air dry works well, too.

When it’s time to clean up the garden, take a good look at what can be used from your own garden to create these easy DIY bundles, and save yourself taking it to the landfill!

Happy bundling!