Soap, Silk and so much more
A new coffee house and gift shop, The Mercantile, has opened in Auburn Township, Geauga County, featuring an open-air pavilion. They host a farmers market every Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The venue offers coffee, tea, pastries, and local vendor products, creating a community-friendly atmosphere.
The article details the cold processed soap-making process, starting with a precise recipe for oils, lye, water, and botanicals. Safety measures are crucial due to lye’s hazards. The oils and lye are combined to form a pudding-like mixture, which undergoes saponification. After 24 hours, the soap is cut,allowed to dry and pH to neutralize. the soap is put on drying racks until it is ready to wrap, label and sell.
The author reflects on the unpredictability of life as artists and small business owners, noting changes in art fair applications and societal issues. They discuss feelings of unrest due to global conflicts, economic struggles, and personal stress. To cope, they suggest reducing outside influences, engaging in hobbies, connecting with friends, and seeking comfort through faith and music.
Last spring, entrepreneur Nicole McGee revived the Cleveland Public Library Gift Shop located in the Old Arcade, downtown Cleveland. Nicole invited us to bring a box of soap for the shop and it has taken off. The shop features 20-25 local artists and makers alongside library merchandise, all assisted by friendly volunteers who educate customers about the products. This development is a positive sign for downtown Cleveland’s recovery post-2020 lockdown, which adversely affected many small businesses. A video showcasing these new ventures highlights the library shop’s significant role.
Bay Village, west of Cleveland, is home to BAYarts, a thriving arts community situated near Lake Erie. Established in 1948 by women dedicated to promoting arts and culture, BAYarts offers two galleries, art classrooms, a pottery studio, and a gift shop showcasing over 50 local artists. The organization hosts multiple events, including gallery exhibits, concert series, a summer art festival, and a fall fundraiser. Recently, a soap and silk painting business, initially removed from the gift shop, was invited back, supplying items for the holiday artist market, which transforms the shop into a festive showcase.
Del’s studio will open with visiting artists, while our studio will feature appetizers and gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. Join us at the Twist Drill Building, 4700 Lakeside Ave, 5th floor. Directions to our studios will be provided soon. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate love!
With the current state of our food chain it is important to find healthy choices from local growers and makers. This is what we are doing.
You must be logged in to post a comment.