Apothecary News!

Fall has been busy here at Boline-the Wheel of the Year keeps turning, and with it comes its own work and challenges. Now that it is December, I can no longer harvest my local crops. But I arranged to have my container plants overwintered at Four Seasons City Farm in one of the hoop houses, which is one of the gardens that will be growing my botanicals next year. I have talked to four urban community gardens about growing medicinals for me- Helping Hands and Midgarden (which are run by Growing Together), Four Seasons, and Franklinton Gardens. Growing Together and Franklinton supplied me with calendula, red clover, hops, thyme, California poppy, tulsi, mint, lobelia, catnip, lemon balm, and more this past year- and there are plans to grow so much more locally!

I also have been gearing up for cold and flu season and the season of dry skin. Over the summer, I made batch after batch of sunscreen and bug spray that flew off my market tables. Now I am making batches of elixir, tea, salves and lotions. I tend to sell out market after market, and the retail stores that I supply are asking for more as well.

In November, I started the new (indoor!) farmer's market routine of four saturdays a month, and started offering workshops at City Folks Farm Shop. I also have done some special appearances: An Etsy Team Columbus Show, Festivus at 400 West Rich, and a sampling at Bexley Natural Market. I added another retail outlet: Clintonville Community Market. So I keep busy!

December offers even more opportunities to see Boline (and me, Lily) in person:

December 10th, 6:30-8:30: Workshop on Body Care Gifts for the Holidays. Come make and take home bath soak, bath scrub, a face mask, and some lip balms. $30 fee includes all materials and packaging, as well as recipes to take home and instruction. Pre-register by emailing City Folks Farm Shop: shawn@cityfolksfarmshop.com.

December 14th, 11 AM til 2 PM in Strongwater, and then in the gallery til 8 PM for Festivus! Long Day! The market happens the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, and Festivus is a special event for the season!

December 21st, 10 AM -1 PM : Columbus Winter Farmer's Market, 4300 Indianola Avenue. On that last date, I am doing a demo at the market showing people how to make a cold syrup.

We have started making gift baskets and will soon photograph them for the website. We have created:

Welcome Newborn! a basket of (talc-free) Baby Powder, Butt Balm, Milky Time Tea, and a tin of Boo Boo Balm.

A Get Well Soon Basket with Cold and Flu Tea, Breathe Well Rub, and Throat Lozenges.

Winter Wellness in a Jar with Throat Lozenges, Cold and Flu Elixir, Flying Trapeze Balm, and a Lip Balm- all in a cute mason jar!

Grad School Survival Kit with Student Helper, Insomnia and Stress Remedy, and Headache Relief.

And we offer empty baskets so you can build your own at the market, too! Come by and see!