When we decided to embark on this Localeaf adventure, I had plans and ideas, but so did the kids. Our oldest has been studying product production, packaging, distribution and costing in school, and after a series of family brainstorms, the kids settled on the idea of making salves from my native plants this fall, and selling them at a local Christmas market.
Not sure what salves are? Learn more about salves here (better than I could explain it).
Anyone who knows me knows that I grow a LOT of plants. I left behind most of my gardens this fall, but also brought a lot of plants with me so I can start again in spring. This is one of many plant loads that made the trek from our old home to our new home.
We saved and dried a lot of leaves and flowers this summer and fall, and the kids infused these in a mix of natural oils (avocado, olive and sunflower).
The kids decided on mixtures to treat 6 different ailments, starting with a unique problem they each wanted to solve. One was struggling with exam anxiety, another has dry skin, and the little one had trouble falling asleep and wanted to make a sleep potion. The garden hand mixture is for the cuts and scrapes they see on my hands, and they made the sore and headache mixes to solve what they see as grownup problems.
The infused oils were then sifted, and melted together with organic beeswax (this part this year had to be sourced externally, but we hope to eventually learn to produce our own).
The resulting “potions” were poured into tins, and left to cool. Once ready, the kids finished off the packaging with stickers and handwritten labels.
They attended their first market at Eardley Elementary, and had great success, while learning a lot from other vendors. As a result, our signage and displays have improved, we have acquired a “square thing” (for secure payment processing), and they are ready for their second market of the season.
Come by Nesbitt Nursery‘s Christmas Market on Saturday, December 7th and support them, and our little startup idea, learn more about our micro- nursery plans, and pickup some free native flower seed packets. The kids can teach you how to plant them right now and enjoy the flowers next summer.
If you can’t make it but want to buy some salves from them, reach out to us by email, through Facebook or Instagram, and we would be happy to deliver them locally to you, while supplies last.
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