Grady is a rambunctious 2-year-old Australian shepherd. His hobbies include playing fetch, bounding through fluffy snow, hiking, and playing hockey in the driveway. Grady is a chewer; his favorite toy is a destroyed toy. When it comes to snacks, Grady is a pro at toddler clean up!
Wolverine is a 6-year-old mischievous tuxedo cat. His hobbies include jumping to the highest point in the room, wrestling with his brother, and following his humans around the house. He loves playing fetch with hair ties and beating up his raccoon kicker toy. Wolverine tries to steal most human foods but settles for cat treats.
Dusty is a spunky 4-year-old Netherland dwarf rabbit. His favorite toy is toilet paper rolls, which he loves to pick up and thrash around. Dusty loves snacking on bananas and being chased around the living room. If you scratch Dusty on his cheeks, he lifts up his foot!
Tucker is a loyal 10-year-old golden retriever. He enjoys hanging out in the yard on a summer day. Tucker loves to show off his toys to anyone around. His favorite toy is a bear named Bluey. Tucker loves holding his own leash and taking himself for walks!
Dahlia is a snuggly 13-year-old tabby cat. Her favorite toys are pom poms and pipe cleaners, which she loves to throw around and bury underneath pillows in the middle of the night. Dahlia once took care of a peacock egg and befriended him when he hatched!
Ollie is an affectionate 3-year-old boxer dog. His hobbies include being outside, playing with his frisbee, and finding a good stick. His favorite food is anything chicken. Ollie happens to be a bionic boy. He has a pacemaker!
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THE WAX BLEND
Exclusive to NL, our research team formulated a natural wax combination of soy, coconut, sunflower & hemp oils. The more we turn to nature for inspiration, the more unique opportunities we bring to market.
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We now eagerly share Waking Hour so you may enjoy your own hour of renewal.
For our DIY Sill, we used fragrance oils Plum Orchid + Dahlia and Water, Natural Soy Wax Blend Bulk Wax and Small Jar Wicks. The two fragrances burn and blend to create one unique new fragrance! Make it your own by mixing different fragrance oils in the two tiers. We recommend these other great combinations:
Chamomile + Avocado and Clover + Honey
Vanilla Oud and Lavender
View more candle making tips here.
All of our candles are designed with after-use in mind. We'd love to see the creative ideas that you come up with for repurposing your NL candles!
Connect and share a photo with us:
Northern Lights is excited to celebrate National Women's History Month with a special message from our Chief Operating Officer, Amy Bennett. Amy has been Head of Product Development at Northern Lights Candles for the past six years, having been responsible for product design and development, tradeshow design, sales presentations, manufacturing operations overseas, quality initiatives, and import purchasing.
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There is a moment from my upbringing that I now consider to be an important lesson during my personal journey to becoming a woman. I was sitting in the passenger seat of my mother’s car, watching her apply make-up in the overhead mirror. The unzipping of her make-up bag released a poof with a floral, perfumy aroma.
Like an Indian Spice Rack, a harmony formed from the small variety of bargain store products. The engine was off, the wet hot Arkansas heat was penetrating, and beads of sweat were forming over fresh powder. I watched a woman at record speed, “armor up.”
When it comes to make-up, she invested little time or money. After all, this routine application happened in the car (sometimes while in motion.) It was quick, distracted, we always talked through it, and then she was off. The message I received was “show up to play, but keep in mind that there are more important things on which to focus your time, talent, and money.”
Sometime in late middle school, my mom took me to the mall to buy make-up. She never shopped for mall-quality make-up, so it was a treat to stop at Clinique and get powder.
Fast forward to summer 2020, when I found the ‘free with purchase’ Clinique bag from that trip with my mother. Over the years, I had been storing graphite and charcoal from art classes. The old perfume smell was now sharing a home with pencil shavings and old erasers. Created from the combo was a rich, sophisticated, earthy base with light florals. It was not at all a traditional fragrance combination but it struck me as being “strong feminine.”
The reason I share this personal story, is because fragrance is personal. It embodies culture and fashion, time, and memory. It encapsulates its environment and overtakes the air. When wax is imbued with fragrance a whole new purpose emerges. With the marriage of these ingredients, we immortalize moments of personal experience.
Bringing something so magical together from rather humble ingredients, like soy wax or cotton wicks, is remarkable considering the role candles and home fragrance can play in our daily routines. I burn a candle at my desk every day. I use room spray to freshen up linens and rid me of garage smells. You can change a mood in an instant, create intimacy and companionship, you can reminisce about your 2020 beach vacay that got canceled, focus and re-center, pamper, and bring light to a friend in need.
Light and flame are also powerful elements. Light can be reassuring, positive, clarifying. Flame is active, hypnotic, warm. A good friend of mine (and mommy) started lighting a taper candle with every dinner when she was training her toddler to eat solid foods. She describes the experience as creating a moment for rebalancing her reality: she is a woman. She is a teacher. She is a wife. She is not just a food shoveling, clothes washing, diaper checking machine. With a candle, she created a singularly quiet space during dinner, and a moment of breath and joy.
I don’t write these words to simply speak about how meaningful candles and home fragrance can be in your life. I also wanted to commemorate Women’s Month and acknowledge the power of role models and their influence. I would also like to share some exciting news: It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you from a new position in the company. In October of 2020, I became the Chief Operating Officer of Northern Lights.
You might not know this, but you and I have been working together for many years. You have seen my influence in the design of many of the products you purchase. I have helped bring to life products like Windward, Spirits, Sill, and many more.
I make pottery (and collect it,) cook (sometimes its breakfast for dinner,) and read (sometimes trashy novels--I am not going to lie,) and I wear make-up. I raise a red-headed daughter with my artist husband in the small town of Wellsville, NY. Candles and home fragrance are an integral part of my personal life, where I aspire to be a positive force.
Thank you for your support. We greatly appreciate your business.
Together, We Brighten the World.
Sincerely,
Amy
]]>Alicia is a decorator, mother, and nurse who has a passion for modern farmhouse design.
Her work is inspired by the beautiful contrast between old and new. When she purchased her home in
Rochester, WA, she began documenting the decorating experience on her Instagram.
"I currently call my style Modern Farmhouse.
I absolutely LOVE vintage finds and antiquing, and I have several antique pieces in my home.
I live about 10 miles away from the town of Centralia, which has an excellent antique district in its historic
downtown, and I shop there often. I enjoy new pieces as well, and prefer that chairs and sofas are little more modern/traditional. IKEA is my favorite store to find new pieces.
Now, I believe the blending of old and new makes for a beautiful home and allows those vintage pieces to
really shine. If you feel your home with only old, it can start to feel and look like a museum! And a home with only
new pieces to me, can feel a little cold because it lacks that cozy factor that only vintage pieces can add."
"I started my Instagram account, Fresh Farmhouse Feels, a little over a year ago as a creative outlet and to inspire and receive inspiration from others. I absolutely LOVE being a part of the IG home decor community. I have learned so much and of course, my style has evolved with the daily inspiration that I find on this platform. I would be lying if I said I never felt a little discouraged when scrolling through all the eye candy. I have to remind myself though, that my goal as a decorator is really to inspire others in whatever “home phase” they are in in their lives".
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Rachel G. is a self-taught fiber artist, founder and owner of Careless Threads specializing in macrame and free-style weaving. She values the unique qualities related to handmade textiles and the community of creatives she has created through the growth of her business.
"My name is Rachel and I’m the owner and creator behind Careless Threads.
What started out as a fiber art business, where I created ready-made wall hangings,
has now expanded to include fiber materials. I cater to macrame artists and weavers.
Natural fibers are not easy to find. It’s my mission to curate
all-natural unique fiber goods for my fellow artists."
The creation of a Canyon Dune candle starts with a large box full of individual grains of sand (some might call this a sandbox). The vessel begins when sand is carved out by the wax artist to form the shape and filled with hot wax. Once cooled, the excess sand is brushed away to reveal the candle and sealed to protect the textured exterior. This handmade process guarantees that no two candles are exactly alike! Each vessel is filled with a white, specially formulated coconut-blend wax and features two 100% cotton braided wicks.
Michelle Milowe is a home decorator and Etsy shop owner inspired by all things vintage. Her collections of found goods are transformed into timeless treasures for your home. Michelle's style is filled with subtle hues and textures to invoke a peaceful environment and showcases the twice-loved treasures she discovers.
"Hi, my name is Michelle Milowe. I am a twenty-something, type 4 (for my enneagram enthusiasts out there) homebody that loves all things floral, cheesy, and vintage. My husband and I recently purchased a 1970’s ranch that we are in the process of making our own—which is something like a modern European-inspired country cottage (I think)."
"I love seeking out the beauty in the ordinary and the overlooked, and thrift shops, estate sales, and flea markets are just a few of the many places I find it. I select items based on their tones and textures and how they would look with other tones and textures—such as brass candlesticks blanketed in crisp white linen and a drapey ivy plant on stacks of yellowed ivory books. I am a fan of chippy whites and patina metals, stoneware crocks and wooden bowls, moody paintings and pieces of architecture. If these items don’t end up in my shop, I style them in my home, mixing the old with new."
"Creating a beautiful and meaningful home is my passion, to have a haven to retreat to, a welcoming place to invite others into, and a space that reflects those living there. And to me that is more than just acquiring and arranging “things.” It means collecting the details and moments that make home."
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Through my home, my Etsy shop, and the way I live, I hope to impart an appreciation of the moments and the everyday things in which there is so much beauty to be found."
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Interested in her Etsy Store? Visit her website here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLittleKettle
In celebration of International Women's Day, we are privileged to showcase some of the innovative and creative women that contribute to our success here at Northern Lights. We stand in appreciation of all the women who's careers have formed our rich history and who's daily dedication sheds light on our authentic, handmade roots.
Rhonda Kane, Director of Sales, 7 years - Favorite Product: Windward
“ I used your feedback to bring this candle to life.”
Rhonda represents the voice of NL fans & customers on the product development team. Through relatable conversation and a passion for customer satisfaction, Rhonda boldly sheds light on the needs and desires of our NL family, consisting of many loyal customers and exciting new additions. Therefore, when several requests were made for a must-have coastal candle, Rhonda spoke on behalf of the creation and development of one of our current best-sellers, Windward.
What’s your favorite part about Windward candles?
Rhonda loves that when she burns the candle, the flickering flame through the bubble texture of the glass creates satisfying movement.
Tori Bowers, Art Director, 7 years – Favorite Product: Prana
“I illustrated and designed this packaging.”
A Northern Lights product is made complete by the giftable packaging that features original painted, drawn or graphically arranged designs. When developing the Prana candle collection, Tori set out to emulate the organic nature of the vessel and the 100% natural components with hand drawn illustrations of the essential oils. The textural detail brings to life the multilayered qualities of the aromatherapeutic components. Finally, the Prana box was constructed to frame the intimate moments created by the burning of the candle. Tori and her team strive to mimic and communicate the creation of every candle's unique personality through the artful details of the packaging so everyone might be able to fully experience the art of candle making.
What’s your favorite part about the Prana candles?
Tori loves how a Prana candle can make such an impact for its size. The fragrance throw is equally as impressive as the healing moments created by the natural blends and intimate flame.
Teri Shaughnessey, Director of R&D, 29 years – Favorite Product: Esque Nouveau
“I invented wax painting, our exclusive technique.”
Northern Lights has evolved over the years, but remains true to the handmade candle-making techniques established in the company’s origin. With direction to invent new wax techniques, Teri worked with a wax chemist to develop a special proprietary wax that decorates glassware. With her newly invented wax blend, she began playing with the wax seeking out a design that would resemble a glass marble. The result was our longest continually sold and best-selling line, Esque. Our wax painted lines now expand beyond Esque Mysteria to include Esque Nouveau and our Meditation candles.
What's your favorite part about the Esque candles?
Teri just loves the way the colored waxes and gold mix to create beautiful and individual designs, each candle being its own unique work of art.
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Interested in Megan's designs & artwork? Visit her website here: www.megyalook.com
Kaila Jackson is a flower gardener and floral artist working out of a stunning barn attic studio in Northeast Ohio. She grows and stylizes flowers to use as inspiration for her paintings. Mixing shimmering, natural pigments with delicate flourishes to create beautiful arrangements on handmade paper.
"I find so much inspiration in light. When I wake to the silhouette of trees against a bright pink sky or watch long shadows dance on the wall of my studio in the late afternoon, I can feel the inspiration bubbling inside me. Like a peaceful kind of excitement, my ideas are sharp and vibrant, energy flows, and it all comes from golden light."
"Sometimes, like today, I walk to my studio on a gray, rainy day, climb a ladder to my attic space, and look out the window that oversees a corner of my garden. I think about newly sown flower seeds & small plants being watered by the rain. I light a candle, watch the flame flicker, enjoy the fresh scent, and in the stillness, I relax and begin to feel inspired."
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Interested in Kaila's floral artwork? Visit her website here: www.KailaJackson.com
Or follow her on social media @bluegreenpatina
Most days you can find me in my studio, an old furniture warehouse turned artist lofts in the Hydraulics District of Buffalo, NY. As fall creeps in I like to spend evenings in the studio as well... the windows open, cool breeze coming through the window, and the most perfect view of the city skyline out the window. My favorite little candle-lit nook is perfect for catching up on emails and working on client drawings.
I am inspired by all things Buffalo and anything with a rich history, soul, and a story. I am particularly drawn to old handprinted signs and advertisements. My design style is very modern and minimal. I firmly believe, "it seems that perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove." (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
I try to give each of my clients something unique to them, to their values, to their brand. Everyone has that one thing that makes them stand out, that makes their clients say "it just has to be you and no one else." Watching our clients grow, evolve, and truly come into their own is the most fulfilling part of the design process and something I will never grow tired of.
As I near the 5 year mark in my business, I'm taking time to stop, breathe, light a candle, and as always, be grateful for this humbling life that I have built for myself. Just like the first spring rain washes away the dirt of winter, the first autumn breeze rings in a season of change. Self reflection, growth, creative freedom. I'm excited for what this new season will bring to The Buffalo Collective and for our clients!
Now don’t get me wrong, nothing gets me pumped more than a styled space, perfect golden hour lighting, or traveling to places I used to only dream about with my camera, but I’ve found what truly inspires me is a genuine relationship with my clients, the brands I create for, and the creatives I work alongside capturing genuine moments.
When I cull through my images, the ones I’m drawn to keep almost feel like you’re there experiencing the moment—the ones where you could almost jump right into the image. My hope in all that I do is to create imagery that makes the viewer feel something, whether it’s an emotional connection or a photograph that truly captures the person and lets them see themselves as beautiful. That’s what I live for. In my opinion, photos only increase in value over time. They’re a brilliant gift when our minds forget, a small capture that sparks a memory, allowing us to relive that moment over and over again.
Candles are a huge part of my process and incorporate so much into what I do. Whether it’s editing by candle light late at night, most likely singing at the top of my lungs to Ben Rector, creating a cozy vibe with friends out on my back deck, trying to not get eaten alive with my sweet blood, or trying some crazy smoke effects out during a shoot, candles find a way to intrigue my eye and create a vibe I love.
I use bread as a recycling bin for food that is still edible but left in the void of not having a home. Leftover herbs, spices, fruit peels, vegetable skins, cheese rinds and even coffee find a second home mixed among the crumb structure of my bread. The results are fun flavor combinations which include Preserved Lemon Peel and Jalapeno, Sea Salt and Cheese Broth Sourdough, Black Bean and Red Beet Pulp, “SeaWheat” (seaweed and wheat), and Charred Pepper Skin Wheat, and some failures that include Pickle Juice Wheat and Celery Juice Sourdough. Reworking these ingredients expands their versatility and gives them added value.
The concept of the Herban Garden candle mirrors my bread philosophy. Reusing the candle holder as a potted plant gives new value to an otherwise disposable item. Once planted and grown, the herbs can then be used in an infinite amount of ways. The abundance of herbs that were cultivated from the Herban Garden candle were used in a gremolata for a lamb roast and then reworked in to a citrus and herb sourdough bread (shown). I started with a candle and ended with bread and barely consumed any wax along the way.
Hello! My name is Raelyn Woltz and I am the owner and principal designer of West End Interiors in Buffalo NY. My goal is to design, deliver, and execute my clients a beautiful and timeless design.
Specializing in space planning, unique finishes, and project management, I take pride in delivering Buffalo a much-needed modern take on interior design. I cover a variety of interior design styles, but excel in a west-coast-cool aesthetic. I love fine details in built-ins and cabinets, clean lines, well placed lighting, and especially tile work.
Creating Warm + Inviting Spaces
My travels have constantly inspired me to bring a diverse aesthetic to Buffalo and cater to the modern families who are looking for more than the average homeowner. I excel at taking inspiration from the client and combining that with my expertise to deliver a project that is loved for years.
The new designs that are offered by Northern Lights fit into the different styles of my clients. I love a simple pillar candle for my more modern designs, the hand-blown glass containers for my transitional designs, and the bee hive candle fits perfectly with my eclectic decor. They bring an additional sense to experience the room and help me create warm and inviting looks.
Hello! My name is Danielle McGee, and I own a small business called Good Look'n. We are a New England based design house with a focus in event planning! Good Look'n was born out of my passion for community and the hopes of bringing good people together to share, to love, and to grow.
I collaborate with clients in the design of opportunities, or rather moments in time where life's most intimate connections are free to take shape. As a culture, we thrive when we connect. When we experience true connection, we expose ourselves to compassion, happiness and most importantly, inspiration.
As a crafter of experience, I use design and the careful curation of props and decor to transform spaces into the style of event our clients envision. Lighting plays a huge roll in my work. Creating ambience is critical in establishing the overall mood of an event. Candles are a great way to introduce a magical glow of warm light. Nothing is more inviting when you enter a room than the warmth of a candle. There is something so timeless about an elegant taper that I just can't resist, they are by far my favorite tool of the trade!
When the tables are set, the lights turned down and the candles are lit, I know the room is ready to go. Nothing is more satisfying in my practice than seeing the look on the client's face when they walk into a finished space for the first time, it's everything!
My name is Kaila Jackson. I'm a watercolor artist living on a little piece of countryside in the state of Ohio. My mission is to bring beauty to the world wherever I can.
Flowers are an obsession of mine - the beauty, the whimsy, the happiness they bring to a human, a home, or a life. I buy them, I grow them, I paint them. Usually in shades of pink.
Before I paint, I set my space. I want a quiet room, a glass of wine or a cup of tea, fresh flowers on my table, and always, a candle. The day of the week doesn't matter. Snow flurries, a thunderstorm, or blue-skies - my requirements are the same.
Within that space I can always decompress. I dip my paintbrush and allow the twisted floral vines of my mind to unravel into swirls and brushstrokes that become shimmering flowers, spilling out of a basket or a vase. Painting is, for me, restorative. I find a sense of calm in my routine and look forward to that daily quiet, my paints, the drink, the flowers, and the candle.
My name is Brian Rhinehart. I'm a lifestyle blogger based out of Chicago, IL. I have always found beauty in the simplest of things such as drinking a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop or traveling to new and exciting places. All of these moments, big and small, have beauty in them and inspire me to be creative and live a simpler life.
My social media handle Minimalist of Aesthetics started out as a constant reminder for me to stay grounded in life by living simply and putting focus and love into all moments. I wanted to share with others my life through photos in hopes that they too could somehow feel inspired by how I was living. If even one person could like my recent travels or my latest candle obsessions that meant more to me than anything.
I realized that I wanted to share more depth and background than my Instagram posts were allowing with just a photo and small caption. It was in that moment that I decided to create my blog, Minimalist of Aesthetics and was on my way to become a blogger. Blogging allows me to have a voice beyond the photos and connect with others. Connecting with people, brands, and new places around the world is what I love the most about blogging. Finding like minded people who share the love and desire to live simply means everything to me.
When I'm creating new content for my blog it comes so easy because I surround myself with things that I love and things that inspire me. My home is where I enjoy blogging the most because I'm surrounded by different elements that bring joy in my life. Elements ranging from a multitude of house plants surrounding my living space, to the soft music playing in the background, or even the new artwork I hung on the wall. However, there is one element that helps my creative process more than all other and that is filling my home with fragrant candles. Candles help me to relax and focus on what I love most, blogging.
Each day we can find beauty in something. That is what drives me every single day as a blogger, as a creative, as a human being. To live simply, to live beautifully, and to live to inspire others!
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My name is Judy Dill. I'm a home stylist and blogger at Life Is Better At Home who lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. I'm excited to have recently launched my own interior decorating business, Life Is Better At Home Interiors!
Interior decorating and entertaining have always been a passion of mine. I love creating a theme for a season, a holiday or an event and seeing it come to life! I'm also a wife and mother, so I enjoy creating beautiful spaces that are also functional and family friendly.
When it comes to decorating, my two must haves to personalize a space are fresh flowers and candles! Fresh flowers add instant style and class, while candles add ambiance. The flicker and glow of my favorite candle says sit down, relax, and unwind. Adding a simple votive to your powder room or entry table is always a nice touch. Whether I'm entertaining or it's just my husband and I enjoying a quiet night in, candles create a cozy and welcoming space.
I used to get caught up in the idea that everything had to be "perfect" when I was entertaining. I've come to realize it's the coming together of family and friends and enjoying the time together that matters most.
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My name is Kristin Lenz. I'm a decor consultant, stylist, and White Arrows Home blogger. I live "Up North" in Wisconsin with my husband and five children. I share my love of North Woods Living on my blog. I'm inspired by the outdoors, especially the views from my lakeside log cabin home. I enjoy the outdoors in every season and I style my home to be warm and welcoming for family, friends and guests. I'm passionate about building family memories for my children, decorating, and entertaining.
"One of the easiest ways to add warmth to a home is through candles. They instantly make a space calming and cozy."
My home is a full log cabin named "Camp Paradise," on the shores of a lake in The North Woods of Wisconsin. It is filled with a mix of antique, vintage and new pieces. It reflects nostalgic camp style with the elegance of a grand old lodge.
A top priority for me is styling and restyling rooms to fit function for families while maintaining warmth and comfort. My spaces have an abundance of cozy spots to curl up with a book, nap, visit with friends or play games. Cozy spaces make you want to linger longer. Candles add a classic touch, whether a votive on a side table next to a reading chair, tapers on the dining room table or pillars on the mantel.
When choosing pieces for homes I select items that can be used in multiple rooms and spaces. This makes the idea of "shopping your home" fun and budget friendly when restyling a space. I often advise my clients and readers on how to bring something from one room to another and make it feel new.
I am constantly dreaming of ways to remodel, redecorate and style cottages, cabins, lake houses and homes. I often layer classic aesthetics with modern trends in my designs. I love using white shiplap and light nautical colors or knotty pine walls, plaid carpets and antlers. I use my blog, White Arrows Home, to design spaces for individuals and families to experience the "Up North" and find a retreat where they can relax, recreate and reconnect with themselves and nature.
My name is Liesl Maertens. I'm a knitter, seamstress, natural dyer, spinner and designer. I live on a small farm in North Western NJ that has been in my family for over a century called Buckaloo View. For a few decades now, it hasn't been an active farm. But with the help of my mom, I am in the process of bringing it back to life. I forage and grow materials to dye fibers with. In 2018, I'll be getting goats, sheep and alpaca for fiber production, so I can raise and spin my own yarn to dye. My goal is to have a self-sustaining farm and live as closely and quietly to the land as possible.
I prefer to grow and forage as much dye material as I can. My favorites are black walnuts, marigolds, cosmos and goldenrod, as well as various kitchen scraps, such as onion skins and avocado pits.
Certain things like black walnut hulls have high levels of tannin that naturally adhere to fiber easily. The fiber itself plays a role, cellulose based or protein based fiber take color differently and certain preparations need to be done to help color stick. Silk, alpaca and even different breeds of wool all take dye differently. You can use modifiers like vinegar or baking soda to alter the pH of a dye bath and change the color. Through research and experimentation, I've discovered which dyes work best with corresponding fibers to get the results I desire.
I love the fact that I can incorporate my love of nature and plants in my art - from dyeing fiber naturally to the inspiration behind many of my knitted designs. Slow, artful living and embracing simplicity is important to me. Wearing handmade items and filling my home with products that have a story is essential. There isn't anything more relaxing than putting my feet up after a long day, sipping a cup of tea, lighting a hand poured artisan candle and knitting a new design.
Visit her blog here: www.buckalooview.com
Or follow her on social media @BuckalooView
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