The type of basket work featured in this article is often referred to as ‘Wicker’ or ‘Stake and Strand’ basketry. When looking at the sides of a basket, the straight upright sticks you can see are called the ‘stakes’. On the base these stakes radiate outwards from the center and are generally called ‘spokes’ at […]
“Technically this tutorial makes a lavender tincture or extract which is a little less potent than a pure essential oil. I’m OK with it because I use my lavender extract to add a nice smell and an antiseptic oomph to my homemade cleaners. It works just as well as a pure essential oil but I […]
“In our modern society we’ve pretty much eliminated the need for rope. I rarely use rope or string for normal every day applications. When I was a kid I remember using rope to tie down items in the pick-up truck – now we use bungee cords and ratcheting straps – neither of which require knot […]
“A mix of chlorine bleach and water is an effective household disinfectant (and it’s cheap too!), but the bleach is pretty harsh on fabrics, skin and the environment (and a bit stinky too). The good news is that you can still make homemade bacteria busters using fresh or dried herbs, essential oils, vinegar and other […]
Here’s a photo tutorial that will show you how to make black walnut ink… find a black walnut tree (Juglans nigra). gather ye some nuts cover them with water and soak to soften (rot) fruit husks let squirrels help themselves to the nuts – we only need the husks to make ink simmer the husk […]
“I’m preparing a class for the Master Gardener chapter that I’m a member of on making bird-feeders utilizing natural sources, recycled materials and re-purposed items. Of course the best bird-feeder is what nature provides: nuts, seeds and fruit from native trees, shrubs and wildflowers (and native insects). The hardest part of this DIY feeder was […]
“Last July Matt called me at the office, to ask me a very important question after spending much of the morning with Zack digging up our crab grass infested lawn: “Umm… I got a whole bunch of dirt here, you want to make a garbage can pizza oven?” Do I ever! Let’s back up though. […]
“Dragging extension cords across the yard to power the weed whip, fumbling around in a dark shed… most of us take these hassles for granted. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a day’s work, you can run electrical lines to any part of your yard. This article will show you how to […]
“The end of summer is generally the time when a lot of us are digging up our main crops, preserving vegetables and drying the last of the herbs. The same goes for me and especially so when it comes to preparing enough botanicals for use in my handmade soaps and beauty products. Lavender buds are […]
“You can make your own brooms! If you have a green thumb, you can start by growing your own broomcorn. But even if you can’t grow broomcorn, you can order it from a supplier. One of the most common questions I hear when I am demonstrating my craft is, “What plant material is used for the […]