Soap Making With a Passion

Handmade, natural soap is definitely high on my list of favorite things. I love the way it makes me feel when I see an array of beautiful soaps, take in the fragrances, and finally make my selection so I can take some home to experience the sheer creaminess of the lather. Not many people fully understand my attraction to soap, but that changed one Sunday afternoon at the Bethesda Central Farm Market.

As my husband and I were walking through the market, Mystic Water Soap lured me over with a beautiful display. As I was touching and smelling all the soaps, the owner and soap maker, Michelle Burns, introduced herself. She was very friendly and helpful, and her passion for handmade, quality soaps shone through as she shared some information about her soaps, and also a little of her personal experiences.

Michelle has always been drawn to traditional handicrafts. She's led a very interesting life, from her early years living with her grandparents on their farm in upstate New York, to San Francisco, where she worked in a restaurant which led to her becoming a professional cook. She traveled the world, and spent most of her adult life living in Italy, where she learned to make soap from local olive oil. Michelle's cooking background influences her soap making - color, appearance, and interplay of scents are very important to her.

If you share my love of wonderful, handmade soaps (or know someone who does) make sure to check out Mystic Water Soap. You will find Natural, Bath, Sea Salt and Specialty soaps. She also offers bath and body products. You can purchase Mystic Water Soap products at markets, festivals, order directly by phone or email, or find them at Smile Herb Shop in College Park, MD.

http://www.mysticwatersoap.com/ Available products, contact and ordering info, festival/market schedule

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Hidden Treasure in Bethesda, MD

If you are like me and my husband, you're always on the lookout for that "gem" of a farmer's market. Well, we found a treasure at the Bethesda Central Farm Market.

What really makes this market special is the quality and uniqueness of each vendor. I don't think I have ever been to a farmer's market that had quite the spirit and selection that we found there. Founders, Mitch Berliner and Ann Brody Cove, were looking for "the place" where they could do their weekly food shopping in one location with high quality farm fresh produce, meats, poultry, cheeses, bread, prepared products, seafood, baked goods, and more, easy free parking, without hassle and frustration. That place did not exist closeby, so they decided to open their own site. Let me tell you - they succeeded in their endeavor!

Walking into the market Sunday morning, we were greeted by Banjer Dan playing some fun music for a gathering of children and their parents. It was a delight talking with him, and he even took out a moment to pose for a picture with me. Such fun! Hmm...maybe I should have asked for a banjo lesson!

It was a pleasure meeting Michelle Burns of "Mystic Water Soap". She definitely has a passion for old fashioned crafts and skills, especially soapmaking. Mystic Water Soap products are wonderful, and Michelle's customers (including me) appreciated the soap samples she sent home with us.

Next, we sauntered over to "Pitango Gelato" and all I can say is YUM! Chris Novashinski offered us samples of their flavors and we loved all of them - especially "Chocolat Noir" and "Mojito" sorbets, which we took home with us. We WILL be back for more!

Being that I love honey, I had to check out the Banner Bee Company. Andrea Langworthy offers a variety of honey, candles, bath products and so much more. She's more than happy to share her knowledge about beekeeping and honey. If you have any questions - just ask away! You'll enjoy talking with her.

By this time, the aroma of grilled sausage enticed us to visit the Meat Crafters booth, where Mitch Berliner tempted us with a few samples of delicious sausages and meats. There was an awesome chicken basil sausage that we will be picking up on Sunday.

It would be impossible to mention all the wonderful products and vendors at the Bethesda Central Farm Market. Do yourself a favor, and check it out!

For more info on the Market: http://www.bethesdacentralfarmmarket.com/

Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World
http://www.brandofthefree.net/