Please Join Us at Squidfire’s 2010 Winter Art Mart!

Once again, it is time for Squidfire’s Winter Art Mart in downtown Baltimore! This year’s Art Mart will be held on December 11 at the First Unitarian Church in Mt Vernon. As always, the art mart will feature some of the best diy/indie crafters from all over the East Coast. Whether you’re looking for handmade soap, freshly baked dog treats, unique paper goods, or even locally roasted coffee beans, they will have it there. So, come on out and support local artists and get unique, handmade crafts for everyone on your holiday shopping list! I hope you can join us on December 11, from 11am-6pm, at the First Unitarian Church, 501 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201.

ArtSpring in Silver Spring

Herban Lifestyle products on display at ArtSpring

Today I was in downtown Silver Spring, MD dropping off a gift basket for an upcoming charity auction, and decided to stop in at ArtSpring, which is just around the corner.

I love ArtSpring for many reasons. For one thing, they carry my products  But just as important, they carry a wide selection of work by local artisans. ArtSpring is housed in a huge light-filled beautiful retail space (formerly a Merrimekko store) in the relatively recently renewed downtown Silver Spring.

Every time I visit ArtSpring, I have to buy something. Today I found  pure beeswax tapers — a very rare find. The last time I was there, I purchased a bracelet crafted from a repurposed silver fork. Very fun stuff!

2009 NIH Yoga Week: Exploring the Science and Practice of Yoga

my lotus flower candle holder

Mary’s Note: See my new blog post for an update on the schedule and location of NIH Mind Body Week 2009.

The week before last, I was fortunate to be able to attend a day of programming at the National Institute’s of Health’s (NIH) first annual CORE Week, where I heard wonderful speakers on Reiki, stress reduction, excercise and meditation, from the perspective of pracitioners and researchers. 

I was eager to attend after having experienced the first annual NIH Yoga Week last May, which was the first of this type of event to be held by the NIH. It was a truly groundbreaking event in that the NIH, a 120-year-old US government agency, endorsed a practice that 30 years ago, would have been considered very alternative. The first yoga week, in May 2008 received national attention with over 1300 participants – it also resulted in National Yoga Month, a National Health Observance being designated for every September from now on.  

If this sounds good to you, mark your calender from September 8-11, 2009, when the NIH will hold its second annual Yoga Week. Highlighting the science and practice of yoga, this four-day series of events is open to the public. You will not only learn about the benefits of yoga but also experience them first-hand through hands-on instruction. Yoga Week will focus on yoga, yoga therapy, yoga research, and presentations on meditation, stress management, and other mind/body modalities. There will also be an opportunity to gain Continuing Education credits through Yoga Alliance and several other health education partners. And it’s all completely free!

This week of events will take place in Bethesda, MD. I encourage you to be a part of this innovative and enjoyable event. For more information, contact Dr. Rachel Permuth-Levine at levinerac [at] mail [dot] nih [dot] gov.

My Muse

The Muse, Frederick, MD

As of this week, Herban Lifestyle™ products are now available at The Muse, a gift shop in Frederick, MD. On its website, they state: “Our store offers a fresh and funky twist to everyday items, all created by artists and crafts people.” It’s a wonderful place to shop for unique and beautiful gifts. I found some adorable handmade baby gifts the last time I was there.

In addition to the great merchandise, every month they have at least one special event, including trunk shows and craft workshops. I’m looking forward to the weaving workshop they will be holding in early 2009.