Rip Van winkle is back

Wow...I think I've just escaped from my time warp. I was stuck in the winter blah 'soul sucking' time warp and I barely escaped! I have actually been hiding from blogging, creating and anything me related for a while now. I hope this isn't a winter pattern I'm going to be adopting. Luckily even in my winter funk, I didn't give up all hope and did still manage to get Rebel Flower Company signed up for two events so far. I Have also been focusing more on custom orders. I hope with spring and flowers and glorious glorious sunshine I will rise from my funky funkness and live again. Haha.
Step one will be getting a go on my first event, a Arthritis Society Gala on March 24th at Bingemans the event is called 'More then just desserts'.
http://http://www.arthritis.ca/local%20programs/ontario/support%20our%20efforts/specialevents/bycity/kitchener/default.asp?s=1
Check out this link for more info.

Also The good Shepherd's Market May 7th at The Good Shepherd Church at 116 Queen st.

I am still debating on a few other show possiblites and I will update. I am hoping to go back to the Kitchener Market with Soap Nuts as early as April or May.
With the cost of living on the rise, soap nuts are becoming a cost effective way to help stay green and keep chemicals out of our bodies.

for more soap nut info check out past blog posts
I will leave this post with a few pictures of some of the works I have done recently, and hopefully will post alot more in the next few days as I'm forcing myself out of this FUNK!

Don't forget Jewellery and Soap Nuts can be found at "Let It Heal" New Location 26 swastika trail in Cambridge and Home Decor can be found at RareFunk!

(As the photo adding option is not working on my blog today I will post new pics this week!)

Chemicals you may be absorbing.....

Have some new jewelery I've been working on in the studio. I'm doing a lot of greens, blues and deep garnet lately. I think its the fall/winter getting to me. Now that I have a toddler, I am really growing to loath winter. I don't mind the cold and the coats and I actually like the snow, but its SO dark! by the time I have dinner made and its been eaten by the babe/doggies (Aiben is very big on sharing) It's to dark to go anywhere with him without a car.

With Christmas coming up VERY quickly I just want to remind everyone about soap nuts being a FABULOUS stocking stuffer. Pick up your great and unique soap nut gifts at the Kitchener Market (Bi weekly), Let It Heal (222 Fredrick st), or CH candle making 111 (West minister Dr Cambridge).

A lot of people have been asking me about the uses for soap nuts other then Laundry.

Soap nuts are diverse and can be used for House Hold Cleaner, window cleaner, Shampoo, Dish soap, Hand soap, Insect repellent, jewelery cleaner, dog shampoo and to steam clean your carpets.

To use soap nuts for these different things, the main thing is to use the 'Soap Nut' liquid recipe I posted in a past entry. It's mainly a matter of diluting the liquid to your preference.

Just a little bit of Knowledge in regards to your regular laundry soap brands.........

When it comes to laundry soap, sometimes we don't realize that the stuff in our soap, stays in the clothes in whats called a chemical residue. This is the stuff that causes allergic reactions and sensitivities. Even if you don't react, YOUR SKIN IS STILL ABSORBING THESE CHEMICALS.

Here's a list of some regular ingredients in your brand name laundry soaps :

Cationic Surfactants, Anionic Surfactants,

Nonionic Surfactants,

Polyphyosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate,

aluminosilicate, optical brighteners, coulorants,

sodium sulfate, Enzymes, Mono Ethanol Amine

Ingredients in soap nuts:

Saponin (Plant matter)

A little food for thought......

Please contact me if you have any questions about Soap Nuts or Other rebel Flower Company products!

Tips on a healthier life

As Ive been on facebook lately I've been receiving status updates from a friend with tips on how to get the chemicals out of our lives. I have been following them daily, looking forward to the new tip on how to change something small to get those nasties out of my family's life and live healthier. Suzy is a strict follower of the Feingold diet http://www.feingold.org/.

Tip number 1- Artificial Vanilla. It is what it says artificial. Buy the real vanilla, yes it is more expensive but you use a lot less of it.

Tip number 2- Goodbye Margarine Goodbye Shortening! Real butter is cream and salt but beware of the phrase 'may contain colour'. Gaylea and sealtest are recommended as very good brands

Tip number 3-Ice cream. Most ice cream isn't really ice cream and is filled with additives including the evil artificial vanilla (see tip number 1). Breyers in the black box, real ice cream, real yummy.

Tip number 4- Dyes. Laundry Soap (switch to soap nuts!) Hand soaps, shampoos, even cleaners.
Use the natural products on the market, or create your own hand soap, shampoos and cleaners with soap nuts.

Tip number 5- Things to look for in your labels, artificial colors or flavours, the bad preservatives like TBHQ, BHT and BHA

Tip number 6- Flour. Most all purpose flours are bleached. if it says its bleached they mean the ol scrub your toilets kind of bleach. You can purchase un-bleached flour. If it doesn't say unbleached, it probably isn't.

Tip number 7- Bread. When you are buying bread try the made in store kinds. The expiry dates are a couple of days not a couple of weeks. You need less preservatives if it only is staying fresh for a couple of days. Of course making your own bread is the best way to combat preservatives in bread.

That's all for Suzy's tips so far but I'm sure there is more to come. I personally can't wait to get more info and ideas. Going green isn't just for the environment but for our bodies as well.

And remember SOAP NUTS are available at Kitchener Market, Let it Heal (Kitchener) and CH Candle making (Cambridge)

One cold and rainy sunday

Last weekend Rebel Flower company went travelin abroad. I took my worldy possessions and went to oakville for the day. Rebel Flower took part in the annual fundraiser for the humane society. It was a cold rainy sunday, but the shelter raised a ton of money, I had a booth by the free coffee and I got to spend the day doing my favourite things; Selling jewellery and visiting with my wonderfully funny and beautiful friends my helper (Jess) and my humane society employee connection (Steph). All in all a great day.

Remember to go to CH Candle Making or Rare Funk for the Loriea Moon Designs
And Kitchener Market or Ch Candle Making for soap nuts 7.00 a 40 load bag!

**We are in works with "Let It Heal" kitchener to offer Rebel Flower Products at this bowen/massage/reiki therapy clinic, more info to follow!!**

How to Make Cleaner with Soap Nuts

Making cleaner with soap nuts is a great way to get rid of germs and clean your house without chemicals. Its also incredibly easy!
to make the cleaner I take 7-10 soap nuts in a pot with 6 cups of water
bring to a boil, and let it boil for 30 mins

its as easy as that! You should end up with about 4 cups of liquid.
At this point you can strain the nuts and put the liquid into an air tight container. (Mason jars work best)
Some prefer to leave the soap nuts in the liquid, its really up to you.


Because soap nuts are a fruit, the liquid can go bad if left in an unseal container, or left for to long. I have left my liquid in a mason jar in my cupboard for over a month at a time and in my time with Soup nuts I have yet to experience it go 'bad'. If you are concerned about the possibility or to be proactive on the life of your cleaner keep it in the fridge.
If you are interested in adding scents to your soap nut detergent or cleaner put in a couple drops of essential oils. The liquid will last longer on the shelf with it, and it smells great.


This liquid can be used undiluted as laundry detergent, or mixed with water as a household cleaner (1 part liquid to 3 parts water).


The best part about cleaning with soap nuts is its versatility. I use the same spray bottle on my floors, my bathtub, my counters, even my couch!


Tried and tested I have yet to find something soap nuts can't clean. (It even cleaned blood out of the couch when my dog cut himself!) Try it for yourself and feel free to leave any comments!

Athena Design..Fall coulors are here!

This is my latest from the craft room. The Athena design. Gorgeous fall colors of yellow and browns. I love the fall, the leaves fall from the trees and reminds me how amazing mother nature really is, how despite everything going on in the world there are somethings that remain unchanged. This necklace is made with yellow Aragonite, a gemstone that is believed to hold properties to de-stress and ground the holder. This piece also has gorgeous vintage brown beads, the color of a dark ale (ale, also known to de-stress the drinker). Fall leaves and dark ale, a great combination for any September day. :)

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah....

This is a new creation, this necklace has gray agate, blue lace agate, rose quartz, rhodochrosite,

olive fresh water pearls and garnet. That's lot of diversity! This was a good creative night for me, definitely one of my best pieces right here.

Heres a frame just finishing up. Pretty awesome I know. Lime green, bright blues, deep purple...need I say more

Heres another finished frame. A lime green and lavender, reminds me of spring :)