tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25776224454095789102024-02-07T21:51:12.774-06:00The Brown Barn BlogFrom the formulators of The Brown Barn Company. Insights, Tips and more from the Founders of Brown Barn. Visit us on the web at http://www.brownbarnlife.comThe Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-38877008137080432092015-03-27T06:54:00.000-05:002015-03-27T08:18:57.522-05:00A Brown Barn Primer: Bar SoapWe have soap. We make soap. We buy soap. We use soap. We smell soap. We love soap.<br />
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At Brown Barn the bar soap is one of our top selling items. Each day we get a number of questions about Brown Barn soaps. I've selected the top questions to answer here for all of our readers.<br />
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1. What is the difference between all of these types of soap you sell?<br />
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Brown Barn sells more than 110 "flavors" of soap. They are categorized to make shopping for the perfect soap bar easier for our customers:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/bar-soap/" target="_blank">All Natural</a> - These soaps consist of ingredients that are all natural. They contain no added sulfates or chemicals. They are scented with essential oil.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/bar-soap-nearly-natural/" target="_blank">Nearly Natural or Handmade</a> - This is one in the same. We are in the process of changing our name for this category from Handmade to Nearly Natural because we feel Nearly Natural is a better definition. These soaps have the same "base" as All Natural soaps but they are scented with synthetic (man-made) fragrance oil. That is the part that keeps these soaps from being all natural.</li>
<li>Organic - Made with basically the same formula as our other soaps but 85% of the oils are organic. That means that these oils are pressed from plants grown without the use of chemicals. These oils are certified organic (just like in the grocery store!) however the product does not have the FDA Certified Organic seal on it because the lab has not yet been certified Organic. Many products at Brown Barn are by all means and definitions, organic products, however they are not advertised or certified as such due to the technicality of the lab needing to be certified organic.</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/bar-soap-goat-milk/" target="_blank">Goat's Milk</a> - Made with added Goat's Milk. Goat milk has a ph similar to that of humans making this soap less drying and more soothing. This is a great choice for people with skin sensitivities and elderly or infant skin.</li>
<li>Hand Poured Soap - These are soaps formed into beautiful and fun shapes such as flowers, dogs, snowflakes. They are subdivided into types as well including bases of goats milk, nearly natural and Shea butter.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9f_5dFo6VMIwn0CiGAElE1-lOKqwOlbj8tGClZGVk-B3K3jnmYVoLzJySFPRu2aj2UdwVBi4G_2HU9ZuMXTGSiImLJFjHc6toJ9xfhDTvZZRPA32svBDxxxZvJD1OYr_89fctqGiQ7-y/s1600/flower+soap.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9f_5dFo6VMIwn0CiGAElE1-lOKqwOlbj8tGClZGVk-B3K3jnmYVoLzJySFPRu2aj2UdwVBi4G_2HU9ZuMXTGSiImLJFjHc6toJ9xfhDTvZZRPA32svBDxxxZvJD1OYr_89fctqGiQ7-y/s1600/flower+soap.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A detailed hand-poured rose soap.</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/hair-care/" target="_blank">Shampoo Bars </a>- These are soaps that are meant to be used as Shampoo. They are sold in tins. This soap is specially formulated to be used as shampoo (and is quite addicting). These soaps are considered All Natural.</li>
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2. Do you make the soap yourself?<br />
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Yes and No. Sometimes and sometimes not. A little of this, a lot of that.<br />
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Brown Barn used to produce all of the soap it sold. Shortly after we opened our first store we found that our soaps sold so quickly and demand was much higher than we could handle ourselves. At that time we found a fantastic soap maker who makes soaps by hand. We now sub-contract some of our soaps from this company. We also make soaps ourselves. All of the hand poured soaps and shampoo bars are made by Brown Barn.<br />
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For years we have fought to get into the position where we can make all of our own bar soap. It has taken us this long to build adequate space to make and cure the amount of bars needed to keep up with Brown Barn sales. Our first in line of "luxury" Brown Barn soap batches are finally being produced next week in our own lab!! This line will feature Brown Barn's fabulous infused oils made in our own greenhouse from plant materials harvested on our Wisconsin farm.<br />
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We will continue to carry the soap our sub-contractor provides as it is different from the Brown Barn recipe and allows us to focus our talents on the more unique soaps our customers deserve. The customers will just have a much wider selection to choose from that will include soaps such as bar soaps with rose petals scattered thru them and unique swirls and scents. These bars will be available to purchase by Memorial Day!<br />
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3. I see the word "Vegan" on many of your soap labels, what does that mean?<br />
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Vegan status means that no animal materials are contained in the soap. We NEVER test on animals and do not use animal fat (lard) in our soap making however we do use Goat milk, Beeswax and Honey so that we may share in the wonderful animal products. We indicate Vegan for those people whose belief system requires only the use of plant based products.<br />
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4. I am allergic to Coconut (or Chamomile or Lavender or Apricots), do your bars contain that ingredient? (Or on the flip side "I'm looking for a product that is made with Coconut Oil.")<br />
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All of our regular bar soap contain an ingredient listing on the back. Be sure to check all ingredient listings prior to purchase. Another option is to go to to our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and use the <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/search-our-site/" target="_blank">search feature</a> to search out which products include the ingredient you are looking for. You can also ask any of Brown Barn's friendly Sales Associates for assistance.<br />
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5. I would like a soap made with x, y, z and the kitchen sink and scented in Purple Panic. Can you make that for me?<br />
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On occasion Brown Barn has been known to make special order requests. As we've grown and our workloads have become heavier, we've found it increasingly difficult to keep up with our production and provide special request services to customers. We've found the need to limit special requests to orders of 20, 50 or 100 or more depending on what is being ordered. We do not like to disappoint our customers and do have a list of other handmade soapers in Wisconsin who most likely would love these small special orders and always happy to refer if we cannot do it ourselves so please do ask!<br />
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6. I have an event coming up I'd like soap for. Can you help me with this?<br />
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Absolutely! Brown Barn soaps make ideal favors for weddings and other events. We are happy to work with you to help make your event special. Email special requests to thebrownbarn@gmail.com<br />
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I will get off my "Soap Box" now. If you would like to learn more about Brown Barn soaps please visit our web-site at www.brownbarnlife.com or ask one of our friendly sales staff.<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Owner<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1Holcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2019243 -91.157639100000026 45.246657299999995 -91.076958100000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-86359037784064300222015-03-13T08:00:00.000-05:002015-03-13T07:59:40.024-05:00Moisturizers and Facial OilThis is the last blog in our series about facial care items. We'll be finishing out with a discussion of facial oil and moisturizers.<br />
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Probably by far and above the biggest question following serums is what is the difference between facial oil and facial moisturizer? Brown Barn's facial oil is an infused Olive Oil meant for assisting in fighting the effects of aging while moisturizers are a broader spectrum creamier mix available in a number of formulations with a a wider range of applications.<br />
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<i>Facial Oil: </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-oil-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin" target="_blank">Brown Barn's facial oil</a> is a straight oil blend that is infused with essential oils and herbal infusions which have been selected to specifically address skin issues. Similar in concept to serums however facial oil molecules are slightly larger and take longer to sink into skin. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-oil-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Brown Barn's facial oil</a> is made using artisanal infusion methods in a centuries old process. A hand picked selection of organic herbs are infused over time into a base of organic olive oil. We selected olive oil for its gentle moisturizing effects and amazing ability to fight the effects of environmental damage and aging.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-oil-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Brown Barn facial oil</a> is then infused with essential oils of Frankincense, Myrrh, Rosemary and Clary Sage. Each of these oils carry a specific reason for being included.<br />
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Frankincense: For its incredible skin cell regeneration and ability to eradicate wrinkles. Heavy with anti-oxidants to fight environmental damage.<br />
Myrrh: A strong anti-bacterial and promotes blood flow to skin cells.<br />
Rosewood: Fades sun spots, scars, regenerates new skin cells and fights fine lines and wrinkles.<br />
Clary Sage: Helps generate new skin cells and balances sebum production so is great for oily or dry skin.<br />
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Beyond the above essential oils, <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-oil-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Brown Barn Facial Oil</a> also is infused with a blend of herbs meant to address issues associated with aging skin such as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and sun damage.<br />
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Facial oil can be used AM and PM but most of our customers choose to use the oil in the PM when they have more time to allow it to sink in. To apply simply apply a few drops to your face and massage in with circular motions. Avoid getting directly into eyes. At first the oil will feel greasy however in just a few minutes you will notice the oil sink deeply into your skin.<br />
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<i>Moisturizer: </i><br />
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Moisturizer is a lotion for the face. It is made just like body lotion however moisturizer's ingredients are selected to address specific skin types such as aging or acne prone. Brown Barn moisturizer is made up of oils and infusions bonded with aloe vera water for hydrating and essential oils for skin conditioning.<br />
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We recommend moisturizers for everyone but it is important to choose the right one for your skin type. Many of our aging customers reach for a heavy cream thinking more is better however <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/moisturizer-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Brown Barn's Regeneration Moisturizer</a> is very light but by far the most effective moisturizer in our arsenal for fighting the effects of aging, especially when paired with serums and facial oil.<br />
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Our biggest Moisturizer diversion comes from people with oily or acne prone skin. They often want to avoid adding any further oils to already oily skin. The correct moisturizer for this skin type will actually work to control sebum production and over time will reduce the body's need to "over produce" oil. By reducing or starving skin of oil in an effort to reduce facial oil production we send our body the message that oil is needed, causing the body to produce more oil. If you apply oil or moisturizer to an oily face over time the message that there is no need to continue producing so much oil will tell the body to back off on the oil production.<br />
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/moisturizer-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">Brown Barn's Revelation Moisturizer </a>contains a blend of essential oils and extracts specifically meant to soothe and balance oily and problematic skin.<br />
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Moisturizers should be the last item applied in your skincare routine and they should be used both AM and PM.<br />
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This concludes our series on facial products. One last parting comment is that overall we notice far more women than men visit our skincare area in the store. Good skincare products are not just for women! We should all make an effort to encourage the men in our lives to at least use wash, facial oil (to soothe and condition rough skin from shaving) and moisturizer.<br />
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We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have in regard to selecting the perfect products for your skin type.<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comHolcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2019243 -91.157639100000026 45.246657299999995 -91.076958100000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-90186750906304000492015-03-12T11:58:00.000-05:002015-03-12T09:01:52.061-05:00Facial Serums and ToolsSerums and Tools, Tools and Serums - OH MY! Oh, so many to choose from. So much confusion! What is a person to do?<br />
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It is astonishing how many serums have hit the market in the last years. With claims from being a miracle serum to reversing aging who can resist the charm of serums? And with prices of up to hundreds of dollars per ounce serums have become the darling of the skincare world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJSbNHLWHX5sJ1rBZZmM-cLPf6vyMM9kl8orDruN6q4Ur2mQS4WtCbEAyEHmSwL5WNsjPwa9ARp63lJqNvJdFe92cEd297hZvFvlG9w4WQZnd5aDrDI5ep4_1WtreS6f8FbmG0vp96cNj/s1600/shutterstock_146503235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJSbNHLWHX5sJ1rBZZmM-cLPf6vyMM9kl8orDruN6q4Ur2mQS4WtCbEAyEHmSwL5WNsjPwa9ARp63lJqNvJdFe92cEd297hZvFvlG9w4WQZnd5aDrDI5ep4_1WtreS6f8FbmG0vp96cNj/s1600/shutterstock_146503235.jpg" height="200" width="90" /></a><i>Serum!</i><br />
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What is a facial serum? Why do we need it? Do we need it?!!<br />
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Serums are liquid based facial items designed with ingredients that penetrate deeply into the skin and target specific skin issues your regular moisturizer does not. Serums can be built to target anything from acne to spots to scars to wrinkles. Of course we love serums at Brown Barn, with their ability to boost your skincare routine who could not fall for their charms?<br />
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Brown Barn has two serums available and will be developing more in the future. First, we have a <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/eye-serum-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types" target="_blank">soothing eye serum</a> that is meant to soothe tired eyes while reducing dark circles and puffiness using an all natural formulation.<br />
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We also have an overall all natural <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-serum-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types" target="_blank">facial serum</a> that acts as a brightening, tightening and toning serum. Our customers often laughingly refer to this as our "facelift in a bottle" because it gives the feeling of lifting immediately due to the honey extract used in the formulation. Cranberry extract brightens and lifts while protecting your skin from free radical damage.<br />
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Do I choose a facial serum or a moisturizer? Or both?<br />
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/">Brown Barn facial and eye serums</a> are designed to enhance the Brown Barn moisturizer and oils. Because moisturizers are made from larger molecules than serums, moisturizers target the top layer(s) of skin while serum sinks in deeply to penetrate the lower layers. So the answer is you need both for maximum effectiveness.<br />
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How is it used?<br />
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/">Brown Barn serums</a> are sold in small glass bottles with droppers. Simply drop a tiny bit on fingertips and gently massage into skin using upwardly circular motions. Alternatively you can drop the oil straight onto your face and massage from there. Avoid getting product directly into eyes. We recommend using Brown Barn serums AM and PM following toner and before moisturizer. Follow with moisturizer.<br />
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<i>Tools!</i><br />
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One of my favorite products and often vastly overlooked by customers are facial tools. I wanted to take a few lines to point out Brown Barn's range of eye masks and facial exfoliators, brushes and pads. The right tool can greatly improve your skincare routine.<br />
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My favorite tool, as I've mentioned in a few past posts already, is our all natural wooden facial brush. I love to "dry brush" my face lightly first thing in the morning before washing. Do not wet the brush, just run the brush in upward strokes over face. This stimulates circulation to my face and helps with a gentle exfoliation to allow my skincare products to sink deeply into skin.<br />
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Another great tool carried by Brown Barn is our Boucle facial pad. I love this for washing my face. Again, it applies gentle exfoliation and scrubbing power to my facial wash.<br />
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Brown Barn also carries a range of eye masks that are perfect for soothing tired eyes.<br />
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The next time you visit Brown Barn's web-site be sure to peruse our tools section to learn more about the many fun tools available to make your skin and body care routine more fun and effective.<br />
<br />
Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comHolcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2242908 -91.117298600000026 45.2242908 -91.117298600000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-83648025985268714692015-03-11T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-11T09:07:54.145-05:00Steaming, Scrubs and MasksThis is the third installment of our facial blog series. Today we will focus on Steaming, Scrubs and Masks. These three items are the "extras" performed each week that take your facial routine from routine to fabulous!<br />
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Facial routines can vary incredibly with the dearth of products on the market. It's hard to know what is above and beyond vs. just plain good maintenance. Steaming, scrubs and masks each have unique benefits but overall they help to detoxify, deep cleanse, tone and increase circulation to your facial area.<br />
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<i>Steaming:</i> The steaming portion of my facial routine is above and beyond all else my favorite moments of the week. It's my time to escape into myself, meditate a little, detoxify. I just feel great after a good steam!<br />
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Facial steaming is a way to detoxify and cleanse you face while also enjoying the aromatherapy and relaxation benefits a Brown Barn steam provides. The moisture produced from a facial steam treatment softens up dead skin cells, dirt or oil build-ups so they can be whisked away.<br />
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Simply heat water to steaming, pour in a bowl. Drape a towel over head and shoulders and lean over the steaming water. Be careful not to scald yourself with too hot of water. A mild steam is best. You should expect to sweat, this is one of those few times when it feels really great to sweat!<br />
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Brown Barn sells a beautiful selection of whole herbs for use in facial steams. Brown Barn's Steaming Herbs is an herbal blend chosen for the benefit it brings to a facial steam including improving detoxification and relaxing mood. Simply toss a bit of the herbs in the steaming water and inhale deeply. (If you suffer from asthma or other breathing conditions consult a physician prior to using Steaming Herbs.)<br />
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We recommend Steaming once or twice a week as part of your facial routine. Steaming is best performed after washing and before using scrub or a mask to enhance the benefits of these items.<br />
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<i>Scrubs:</i> When interviewed regarding her recent 60th birthday, Cindy Crawford said one of her best beauty tricks is daily exfoliation. Why is exfoliation so good? Because it rids your body of the icky invaders of built up toxins, dirt, oils and dead skin cells. If you read our blog about facial washes you will recognize the importance of removing the "icky invaders"!<br />
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Facial scrubs run the gamut from foaming scrubs to soothing oil based scrubs. Brown Barn sells scrubs meant to be used a few times a week in conjunction with our other facial products. If you desire daily exfoliation we recommend using our natural facial brush to lightly dry brush your face before morning washing and to follow up a few times a week with Brown Barn <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-scrub-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">facial scrub</a> or a mask.<br />
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Scrubs are essentially a type of facial wash that includes an exfoliant. Scrubs can include items like sugar, seeds or plant fiber. Some even use sand or salt. Brown Barn sells a <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-scrub-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">facial sugar scrub</a> that leaves your skin feeling amazing. Scrubs are best used following a steam while the top layer of dead skin cells and debris are soften and easy to remove.<br />
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Brown Barn scrub is meant to be used two to three times a week in conjunction with other great facial products.<br />
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To use a scrub: Wet face, apply a small amount of scrub with fingertips and "scrub" by massaging skin in a circular motion. Avoid the tender eye area. If you are using <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-scrub-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">Brown Barn's sugar scrub</a> apply until the sugar completely dissolves. Start with a very small amount of sugar scrub so as not to waste scrub. Rinse and pat dry. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-scrub-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">Brown Barn sugar scrub</a> will leave a rich layer of healthy oils on your skin.<br />
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<i>Masks:</i> It is mind-boggling how many masks are on the market! But why? What's so great about a mask? A good mask pull toxins and deeply cleans pores. We like clay based masks because the clay tones and pulls all kinds of icky invaders from our skin as it dries on your face.<br />
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When I was young (about 100 years ago) my favorite mask was a peel off mask that I delighted in peeling from my face. What high technology this was! We now know that many such masks are chemical laden and harsh. Brown Barn carries a nice selection of clay based masks to choose from (did I mention we like clay?)<br />
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Dry Masks: Brown Barn has two dry masks, one for each skin type of <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-mask-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">aging</a> and <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/facial-mask-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">oily</a> skin. These masks are made from dried clay and herbal extracts that are then rehydrated with the addition of a little water or floral water in the palm of your hand. You can get quite a few uses from these jars of goodies. Our dry masks were formulated by us to compliment our Brown Barn all natural facial line.<br />
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How do you schedule all of this?! I perform a weekly full facial routine in which I use all of my products. You can find an outline of this on our web-site by clicking <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/about-brown-barn-facial/">here</a>. Or in our blog about the <a href="http://brownbarnbath.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-ideal-skincare-routine.html">Ideal Skincare Routine</a>.<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comHolcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2019243 -91.157639100000026 45.246657299999995 -91.076958100000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-53413858358385532342015-03-10T16:15:00.000-05:002015-03-10T17:21:59.919-05:00Washing and Toning Your FaceWelcome to Facial Week here at Brown Barn!<br />
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Washing and Toning your face is today's subject! Usually when customers come to the store to purchase facial items they want to discuss our lotions and serums. Facial wash and toner are the workhorses of your skincare routine and deserve some attention paid when choosing products.<br />
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Why wash your face?<br />
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1. It's dirty. Even if you cannot see physical dirt on your skin...trust me....it's dirty. The world is full of bacteria, viruses and pollutants. Your skin flakes off dead skin cells. If you don't wash your face daily (we recommend washing your face twice daily - morning and night), these icky invaders will pile up on your skin.<br />
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2. Your face emits oil and sweat. Again, this will pile up on your skin causing break-outs and other skin eruptions if not swept away daily.<br />
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3. Your skin needs hydration. Washing your face removes the build-up of debris and oil so water can reach healthy fresh skin underneath.<br />
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4. Your body produces sebum - oil that travels outward to the exterior of your skin where it spreads out and produces a protective mantle or barrier on your skin. When you do not wash regularly sebum mixes with bacteria and debris, causing a back-up in the pores which can lead to acne and break-outs. When you wash you clear the way for a new layer of lipid armor to build up on the skin unimpeded.<br />
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How cold or hot should the water be when you wash your face?<br />
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I've heard many theories on this topic. The best rule of thumb is to use mildly warm to cold water. Many of our customers tell me they use very hot water to wash with. This is not a good practice as it can strip the layer of "good" oil from your skin. Warm to cold water will work effectively to remove the above mentioned Icky Invaders of bacteria and debris without stripping your skin of its important protective natural oils. Too hot of water can cause scalding, dilate vessels and cause irritation. It can also cause a flare up if you suffer from Rosacea.<br />
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What should you use to wash your face?<br />
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There are so many choices! Which one is for you? Often we find our customers are using too harsh of products and chemicals to wash. Customers often think like "if a little soap is good a lot will be great". Not so. You want to use something gentle that will not strip that important sebum/lipid mantle we just discussed but you also want something effective enough to remove bacteria and debris.<br />
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Brown Barn has a wide line of choices ranging from bars to wash. I'll review them here by skin-type:<br />
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Sensitive Skin: This skin type has special needs for one reason or another. We have two products we recommend for this type. First, our Honey Chamomile Facial Bar is made of soothing honey with added Chamomile extract. This is a very gentle bar and is available in our stores. You simply foam some up and wash, rinse. Second, we recommend our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-wash-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Regeneration Anti-Aging Facial Wash.</a> This is a super gentle non-foaming wash made with lavender essential oil. If you are older and have sensitive skin you should reach for this choice.<br />
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Elderly Skin: Elderly skin has special needs because as we age our skin thins. Gentle cleansing is best. Again, we recommend our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-wash-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Regeneration Anti-Aging Facial Wash</a>. Use cool water and gently remove with a soft cloth.<br />
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"Average" Skin: You can use anything we have you lucky soul! If you lean toward oily then opt for the acne-prone products. If you are just plain average stick to the gentler anti-aging or sensitive skin products.<br />
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Acne Prone/Oily Skin: We have two products that work especially well for this skin type. Depending on your needs you may want to consider one for AM and the other for PM after reading about both. Brown Barn's Deep Cleansing Facial Bar is a favorite of our staff and customers and is available in Brown Barn stores. It's a solid Goat Milk bar made with French Green Clay and infused with White Willow bark, Peppermint essential oil and Tea Tree oil. What I like best about this bar is the clay. You can foam it up and leave on for a few minutes to dry. The gentle clay will help pull debris and toxins from deep within your pores. Then just rinse off. This bar is gentle enough to use daily in this way. Like a mini-daily mask.<br />
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Second, we highly recommend our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/facial-wash-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">Revelation Facial Wash.</a> Made with Black Willow bark and essential oils of lavender, bergamot and lemon, this wash was designed to gently reduce acne and inflammation.<br />
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What about washing tools like spinning brushes?<br />
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I do not use mechanical tools myself but we do have customers who just love them! If you decide to try a new tool always spot test first and be extra careful around tender eye areas. Brown Barn products all work well with these tools (per our customers!)<br />
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Brown Barn has a selection of facial pads and a really nice facial brush available to assist in washing your face. I use a washcloth or one of our soft boucle facial pads. I like to use the brush as a "dry brush" first thing in the morning. I simply brush my face with it! I avoid the gentle eye area and focus on areas I especially want to exfoliate. This loosens things up and also promotes great circulation to my face, prepping it for all the great Brown Barn products I use.<br />
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Astringent: Before we start on toners, I want to take one minute to talk about <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/astringent-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">Brown Barn Astringent.</a> Brown Barn's Herbal Astringent is a recipe that has been handed down for generations. It has countless uses but for facial use it works great as a spot treatment for blemishes. It also lightens sun and age spots, soothes inflamed skin and works as an overall cleanser. This item also works great as a sunburn soother and can be applied to scars or abrasions to cleanse and promote healing. We also like to swipe a little on a cotton swab under eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles. (Do not get in eyes!)<br />
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Our astringent is made by hand and patience. It's an artisanal distillation of herbs infused in Witch Hazel, Rose Water and yes, a little Apple Cider Vinegar! We carefully hand cleanse the herbs and distill them for several weeks before bottling.<br />
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We find the best way to use this product is to spritz a little on a cotton swab and apply to affected facial areas. Be fore-warned this product smells strongly of cider at first but the scent dissipates quickly.<br />
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If you choose to include Astringent in your skincare routine be sure to follow-up with toner to return skin pH to normal range.<br />
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Toners!<br />
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What is toner? I get asked this all the time! It's a very confusing item because there are so many types of toners on the market and all seem to make a different claim. Basically toner is a light liquid based product that neutralizes or balances your skin's pH. We recommend using Brown Barn toner following wash or astringent to bring any imbalance caused by washing your face back to the happy neutral zone of 4-6.5<br />
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Sensitive Skin, Aging and Anti-Aging: Use our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/toner-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Regeneration Toner</a> This toner is made with Cranberry Fruit extract with anti-oxidants to protect skin from free radicals. Cranberry is also a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory powers. This toner includes Geranium essential oil to aide in cleansing and soothing skin.<br />
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Acne Prone/Oil Skin: Brown Barn has a specially formulated <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/toner-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">Revelation Toner</a> to soothe acne prone skin types. This toner is made with the above mentioned Cranberry Fruit Extract but also includes essential oils of Lavender and Tea Tree Oil.<br />
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How do I use Toner? Either spritz on face and allow to dry or spritz on a cotton ball and apply directly to face. Brown Barn toners have the added advantage of having been formulated by our in-house certified Aromatherapist! You can use Brown Barn toners throughout the day as a refreshing pick-me-up as well as skin neutralizer.<br />
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This ends our tutorial on washing and toning your face! Please feel free to ask questions or contact us via email at thebrownbarn@gmail.com with questions.<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comHolcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2019243 -91.157639100000026 45.246657299999995 -91.076958100000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-7515425607206903422015-03-03T09:18:00.000-06:002015-03-09T09:18:47.942-05:00The Ideal Skincare RoutineIn 2013 Brown Barn launched a line of Brown Barn Skincare Products. After almost two years of research and development, Brown Barn is proud to offer this fabulous and unique new line of all natural skincare products.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Formulation:</span><br />
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When we set out to design our own facial care line we knew we wanted to harness the power of all natural skincare. We were tired of seeing high priced products on the market making ridiculous claims which were really nothing more than fillers and chemicals whose immediate results were actually causing long term skin damage. Our customers deserve better than that! We also knew that some of the oldest treatments were still the best and did not want to lose the legendary aspect of our belief system about skincare while incorporating our modern knowledge and skills.</div>
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With 20 herbal infusions, 19 all natural oils and 9 essential oils, the Brown Barn skincare line is nothing less than a testament to the power of nature. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Testing</span>:</div>
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While testing the products we found our skin went thru real transformation. </div>
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I use the age defying <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/" target="_blank">"Regeneration" line </a>(I am 52 years old). I have inherited my father's ruddy complexion and large pores on my nose and chin, something I've struggled with my entire life. As I aged I began to also develop dark age spots in the exact same places as my Dad! </div>
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At first my skin soaked the oils in as though drinking deeply. This was followed by a two week phase of light exfoliation similar to a micro-derm abrasion treatment and minor break-outs. I was immediately concerned by breaking-out at my age. However I know from my time spent with a homeopathic physician that the body often becomes "sicker" as it begins to heal using all natural devices, so I stuck it out without modifying our formulations to be "lighter". I am so glad I did!</div>
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This short phase of skin turbulence was followed by a fresher, smoother, softer complexion with tighter pores. Fine lines were softened, age and sun spots faded (and continue to fade) and blemishes completely disappeared. I have been on the complete, final program for over two months now and am still seeing positive changes in my skin. It took the entire six weeks before I began to see my age spots diminish but they are fading quickly now that they've begun to fade. </div>
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Alyssa (my daughter, business partner and lead formulator) uses the acne/oily<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/" target="_blank"> "Revelation" line </a>(she is 25 years old). Alyssa has struggled with adult acne since turning 19. Nothing worked for her, she even tried working with a dermatologist, then a homeopathic physician, changed her diet, eliminating any allergy items -she tried everything. Now her skin is almost perfect, it's absolutely beautiful. </div>
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The picture below was taken two weeks ago (Alyssa is the person without fur) - no make-up or touch-ups. Large break-outs have turned into tiny break-outs and are diminishing the longer she uses the line, her skin has a glow to it that I have not seen since she was a child and the angry red blotchy break-outs are gone. I looked for a "before" picture and realized I had none in which she allowed us to take her picture without make-up so you cannot really see how much acne she had. But even in the picture below you can see where the redness is still fading and some scarring is still lightening.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Facial Care Routine:</span></div>
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Because there are so many pieces to the line I wanted to guide you thru the routine we've developed. Whether you choose to use <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/" target="_blank">Brown Barn products</a> or those of other companies, there is a certain order in which most lines proceed. Below I outline my personal skincare routine as an example of what works for me. </div>
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Before we begin I should explain the new Brown Barn line is divided into three categories to make it easier for you to select items for your personal needs. You can choose to move between lines to customize the items for your particular skin type. </div>
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/">Regeneration</a> - Anti-Aging</div>
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/">Revelation</a> - Acne/Oily </div>
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<a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/">Rejuvenation</a> - All Skin Types</div>
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Our new line is so gentle we feel that most items will be easily used by sensitive skin types. But don't let its gentle nature fool you! Brown Barn's all natural facial line is also highly effective.</div>
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Although our line has several parts you will be surprised to find it only takes a few moments to use the items. This small time investment will reap huge rewards! A good rule of thumb is to use any new facial item for six weeks before passing judgement as it takes a full six weeks for skin to demonstrate a facial cycle.</div>
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<b><i>Morning and Night Each Day</i>:</b> I use our new <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/">Regeneration line</a> for its anti-aging properties and I add in the <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/astringent-revelation-for-acneoily-skin">Revelation Astringent</a> just because I love that item so much. The serums come from our <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/">Rejuvenation</a> line (good for all skin types). More information about the benefits of each item can be found in the item descriptions on our web-site at http://www.brownbarnlife.com under the "Brown Barn Beauty" tab.</div>
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Regardless of which line you use, you can follow these easy steps.</div>
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1. Wash - This should occur in the AM and PM. I conduct my PM facial routine about an hour before bedtime to allow all of the beautiful oils I've applied to my face time to sink in so they do not end up on my pillow. Many of our customers like facial brushes. Any of Brown Barn's facial washes will work with a brush. I simply wet my face and use my fingertips to wash my face, paying careful attention to the area around my nose and chin because those are my problem areas. I rinse with a wet washcloth or facial pouf.</div>
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2. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-revelation-for-acneoily-skin/astringent-revelation-for-acneoily-skin" target="_blank">Astringent</a> - Brown Barn's new all natural astringent is based on a centuries old formula that has been passed down through the generations. Making this astringent entails spending several weeks distilling herbs into a base which is mixed with Rose Water and Witch Hazel. I use the astringent by spraying it onto a cotton ball and applying to problem areas including sun/age spots and blemishes. This astringent is especially good for acne sufferers.</div>
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3. Toner - Toner balances the skin's pH after washing. You can either spritz toner directly on your face (close eyes first!) or onto a cotton ball to apply.</div>
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4. I wait a bit - get dressed or put my pj's on - to allow the toner to dry. You don't have to wait but I like the feel of the serum if I let the toner dry.</div>
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5. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/eye-serum-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">Eye Serum</a> - You only need a tiny dab of this fantastic little serum. Only put it under eyes and at corners. Be careful not to get it into your eyes or they will really water - but interestingly I've not had burning when accidentally getting in the eye. The serum is designed to sink deeply into skin reducing puffiness and dark circles.</div>
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6. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-serum-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">Facial Serum</a> - I love this, it feels so good. Again, just a small amount is needed. Apply over entire face. Designed to brighten, tighten and tone, you will feel as if you had a mini-face lift after applying.</div>
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7. Wait a minute - Again, you don't have to wait but I love how my face feels from the serum so I let it dry before going to the next step.</div>
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8. PM: <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin/facial-oil-regeneration-for-agingsensitive-skin">Facial Oil Complex</a>. If you have very dry skin or like the oily feel of the facial oil you would be fine using it AM and PM. This is an Olive Oil infusion I personally make by hand so I'm a little partial to it! It includes a fabulous infusion of herbs and several great essential oils specifically for fighting aging issues such as spots and fine lines. Apply a small amount all over face and neck.</div>
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9. Moisturizer - Again, apply all over face and neck. If you are not waiting between items you may find you have to pat a little to blend the moisturizer into skin. Don't let this throw you, the moisturizer quickly fades. Our new all natural moisturizers are extremely active, soaking deeply into skin quickly. It does not leave a greasy feel to skin (if you are experiencing any greasiness it would be from the Facial Oil in the PM). </div>
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Some of our customers really prefer a heavy feel to their facial moisturizer. That's fine, you still have options! I am a big lover of the new all natural moisturizer so recommend you continue using the moisturizer and just add the cream of your choice afterwards however you may choose to simply sub one for the other. </div>
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<i><b>Weekly Maintenance:</b> </i>With this daily routine I also do a few things throughout the week.</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.brownbarnlife.com/facial-rejuvenation-products-for-all-skin-types/facial-scrub-rejuvenation-for-all-skin-types">Facial Scrub</a> - This can be done as part of your at-home facial or do what I do - scrub your face when you use your body scrub in the tub. I keep my facial scrub jar right next to my favorite body scrub and do an all-over scrub once or twice a week for exfoliation.</div>
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2. Facial Steam Herbs - I do an at home facial once or twice a week depending on how much time I have and if I remember. The Facial Steam is the first step in this. I just heat up water with the tea kettle, pour it into my old glass bowl and add some herbs. Our directions recommend 5 minutes under the towel but I am claustrophobic so I rarely make it the whole five minutes. My husband loves this and will sit there for ten minutes or more! The facial steam blend was made by myself and I carefully chose herbs for their unique properties such as detoxification or aromatherapy. The facial herbs should not only help your skin but also help your soul. (If you suffer from allergies or asthma please consult with a physician before using.) Brown Barn will be introducing Facial Steaming Herbs for sale this week in our stores and on-line.</div>
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3. Mask - I always follow my facial steam with a mask to finish the detoxification process.</div>
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Then I complete my at home facial with the items from my daily facial routine.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Questions?</span></div>
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Please do not hesitate to email us at thebrownbarn@gmail.com. We are happy to help you!</div>
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Have a wonderful Sunday - relax, regenerate and rejuvenate!</div>
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Chris Untiedt</div>
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Founder</div>
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The Brown Barn Company llc</div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.comHolcombe, WI 54745, USA45.2242908 -91.11729860000002645.2019243 -91.157639100000026 45.246657299999995 -91.076958100000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-62302894451236894442014-09-19T09:37:00.001-05:002014-09-19T09:37:05.828-05:005 Brown Barn Products that will Change Your Life (Or at least maybe you'll enjoy using)...Lately we've seen so many Facebook posts with the title "...will change your life" that we couldn't resist using this title for this week's blog! Here are our top five picks for "must try" products:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjQRuG5vM47yNqEsKcJLlsNEWCmi-7ES6KZtAmUIWHdaO2B3JU7XrbhJzbqs1x5pHZsLhi5cPmONUqxFJ2OOcvJKEUhgjS0tbiAa9VVgoUxQ9MCPpGhCs5BAHjD2qpvMAdOD6hkCSk4H_/s1600/Sugar+Scrub+shutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjQRuG5vM47yNqEsKcJLlsNEWCmi-7ES6KZtAmUIWHdaO2B3JU7XrbhJzbqs1x5pHZsLhi5cPmONUqxFJ2OOcvJKEUhgjS0tbiAa9VVgoUxQ9MCPpGhCs5BAHjD2qpvMAdOD6hkCSk4H_/s1600/Sugar+Scrub+shutterstock.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>1. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/Sugar-Scrubs_c15.htm" target="_blank">Brown Barn Sugar Scrub</a> - Exfoliate and Hydrate while Increasing Circulation! The formulation of Brown Barn's sugar scrub is unique. This is a sold "emulsified" scrub made with a fantastic solid oil combination - no messy watery oils floating on top, just solid oil and scent. Sugar serves to exfoliate, leaving the way for skin loving oils to sink in deeply. The solid oils in this scrub melt the second the scrub hits warm skin, leaving you drenched in oil.. Simply apply a small amount of scrub with fingertips, scrubbing in a circular motion from fingers and toes to promote circulation while bathing/showering, scrub until sugar has completely dissolved, rinse, pat dry and go! Available in 100% all natural essential oil blends, in "nearly natural" fragrance oil blends and in our blending bar areas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnRHdb7SXTnFeUQgag2SeMU3zoUwagvFKr8iP0q8VwfaeAicPagpoakrYCNNrYDJRqf_jFxIgtjVTP9FJrxoyeJqrU2gyNNHwWCKf8-l4IpxzAOGBJfwY_SvBLPbGxYxzVjwbcoNfqIl9/s1600/Soap+Pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnRHdb7SXTnFeUQgag2SeMU3zoUwagvFKr8iP0q8VwfaeAicPagpoakrYCNNrYDJRqf_jFxIgtjVTP9FJrxoyeJqrU2gyNNHwWCKf8-l4IpxzAOGBJfwY_SvBLPbGxYxzVjwbcoNfqIl9/s1600/Soap+Pouch.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
2. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/searchresults.sc?searchId=506BC53B-B48C-690A-7D9E-7AC39FFD2E1C&sortOrder=0&pageSize=24&currentPage=0" target="_blank">Soap Pouches</a> - Extend the Life of your Soap Bar and Exfoliate! Soap pouches are bags that hold bar soap. They come in boucle, ramie and nylon mesh (like a pouf). Place a bar of soap in the bag and use the entire bag to wash with. You will experience great exfoliation and your bar soap will foam up much better. These bags work great for extending the life of your bar soap and are awesome for using up those little bits and pieces of bar soap instead of throwing the soap pieces out. Just pop them in the bag, you'll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind scent and save money at the same time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKW6qMXqv_sGB0x4vHFcnF-Vh29xSyinO2lmKGKwN-2OdCIELRuXBMRztrADOWSf1Ovcj_UctTQYE82c95BisuqnvTzGXiSyQL9PRGNvY5Z1sozEFxpHUlH1Uedq3CtvXwRe-gThz9mx/s1600/Lavender+Massage+Bar+low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKW6qMXqv_sGB0x4vHFcnF-Vh29xSyinO2lmKGKwN-2OdCIELRuXBMRztrADOWSf1Ovcj_UctTQYE82c95BisuqnvTzGXiSyQL9PRGNvY5Z1sozEFxpHUlH1Uedq3CtvXwRe-gThz9mx/s1600/Lavender+Massage+Bar+low.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
3. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=solid+lotion" target="_blank">Solid Lotion Bars</a> - Solid Lotion Bars are one of the best kept secrets at Brown Barn. Great for everything from cracked heels to taming eyebrows. These solid beeswax based bars provide a barrier against the elements that will protect and soften problem skin spots. They also work great for taming little fly away hairs and other issues. We love them for adding a sexy sheen to arms and legs! Just rub your fingers on the bar and use as you would any hair paste. Choose from a variety of scents and our uber-popular "Rejuvenate" bar made with Brown Barn's exclusive Trauma Oil blend for extra strength.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRa4MW7alWJftsBwZzniwGPjmZXU7mOnv-j9i1RADwGVOADLm9hdUD-vowjsVUTdrvp0QYuEhrKsaP9Pu8iDpsYesDEc1kZvSPYkyJQdwZeDrsXtNrDmfPrAl3hOn6FeQjbqKzJTCB2m3/s1600/Facial+sugar+scrub.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRa4MW7alWJftsBwZzniwGPjmZXU7mOnv-j9i1RADwGVOADLm9hdUD-vowjsVUTdrvp0QYuEhrKsaP9Pu8iDpsYesDEc1kZvSPYkyJQdwZeDrsXtNrDmfPrAl3hOn6FeQjbqKzJTCB2m3/s1600/Facial+sugar+scrub.jpeg" /></a></div>
4. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/Rejuvenation-Facial-Scrub-All-Skin-Types-025-002-0053.htm" target="_blank">Facial Scrub</a> - This is my personal favorite facial skincare item. I keep this little jar of facial sugar scrub handy and grab it up every day during bath time. This scrub if formulated based on our solid sugar scrub recipe but uses oils and essential oils specifically selected for their skin care properties. Simply wet face, scoop out a tiny bit of scrub and apply with fingertips in circular motions. Scrub until the sugar dissolves. Rinse and pat dry. Your face will glow, old skin removed and leaving fresh skin ready to accept all the other Brown Barn facial goodies you apply!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zZPuwkA_qxZ3wYQY9sGCJg3OFv30e6hxz1UJ9jBQttC-AaBqPZpB-CqLJ2ql8HfTcDwUobJe1yYHFyxQkpksHRjBdXCjnMcE8AHKuhEhIMirgUd6Tbbb14Vyy5V7SikUudsiKoVwqf9U/s1600/perfect+pedi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zZPuwkA_qxZ3wYQY9sGCJg3OFv30e6hxz1UJ9jBQttC-AaBqPZpB-CqLJ2ql8HfTcDwUobJe1yYHFyxQkpksHRjBdXCjnMcE8AHKuhEhIMirgUd6Tbbb14Vyy5V7SikUudsiKoVwqf9U/s1600/perfect+pedi.jpeg" /></a><br />
5. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/Perfect-Pedi-Footcare-Set-551-48-7228.htm" target="_blank">Perfect Pedi Products</a> - No matter which product you choose from Brown Barn's foot care category, they will improve your life. Our feet are so often neglected and ignored but so important to our overall daily comfort they deserve this bit of extra attention. My favorite is the Energizing Foot Scrub followed by the Perfect Pedi foot lotion. This is an easy quick treat I can apply daily. My feet free cooled and refreshed and provides a mental lift. Another fav is the foot soak, this is an easy treat to perform while watching television at night!<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-82804309675630690732014-09-01T14:36:00.002-05:002014-09-01T14:36:46.046-05:00Fall Update 2014Hi All!<br />
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What is it about September 1st that leaves me feeling as though the "Fall" button has been pushed? Does this stem from spending so many years of my life on a public school schedule? Is it that certain crispness to the air here in Wisconsin that heralds Fall weather? Whatever the reason, I often feel this particular season descend upon me every September 1st.<br />
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We've had lots of excitement around Brown Barn lately from adding new stores to new lines. With so much activity I thought it might be handy for our customers to get an overview of all that is going on!<br />
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NEW BATH LINES/Line Changes:<br />
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1. Goat Milk Products: Alyssa Untiedt, Brown Barn's formulator and co-owner, is busy putting the final touches on the formulas for a new line of Goat Milk lotions and Body Butters. Goat Milk is a wonderful lotion base, carrying with it many skin healthy properties. I've had the chance to test the new body butter formulation over the past few weeks and am absolutely in love with it. It's rich, creamy and oh so good.<br />
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This line will launch with three signature scents: Oatmeal, Milk & Honey (Brown Barn Style!), Japanese Cherry Blossom, and an as yet un-named Gorgeous floral custom essential oil blend from Alyssa's personal "vault". The line will become part of our "permanent" collection and be available year round. The body butter will replace our previous formulation and be available for custom scenting in our blending bars as well.<br />
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We are looking for a launch date on this in early October.<br />
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2. Gem Infusions: Those of you who have been Brown Barnies for a few years will recall our test launch of this line under the name "Gem Aesthetics". For those of you who are unfamiliar with the line, this is a line of lotions and washes made by infusing gem/crystals into the water phase of the product. The stones are hand selected by Brown Barn owner Chris Untiedt and the process is carefully overseen by her to ensure the greatest purification during all steps of the production process.<br />
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The stones are researched for their beneficial elements and paired with matching essential oils to bring strong emotional and physical benefits to users. We are just finalizing these scents but tentatively we are pairing Amethyst with a Lavender/Rosemary/Basil essential oil blend, Citrine with straight Orange (the most popular during our testing phase), Herkimer Diamond with a Grapefruit EO/Champagne FO blend (A little deviation with the fragrance oil but how can we resist combining Champagne and Diamonds??).<br />
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This line will be unveiled around November 1st to coincide with the opening of our new premiere store location in Chippewa Falls, WI. The line will also have it's own web-site with lots of information about crystals and other fun items.<br />
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3. Signature Line Retired Blends: We can't really call any blend retired since they will always be available in the blending bar, perhaps "put out to pasture" is a better term. With the addition of the custom blending bar we've found the following scents have received reduce sales and will be "retired" from our permanent Signature Collection: Lemongrass, Coconut Lime Verbena, Green Tea & White Pear, Orange Patchouli, Tahitian Vanilla, Orange Ginger.<br />
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Our Signature line will then consist of these favorites: Lavender EO, Bergamot Twist EO blend, Day at the Spa, Moonlight Pomegranate, Sandalwood Vanilla, and Black Raspberry Vanilla.<br />
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4. Build a Bath Bar (or what it will be called until we come up with a better name!): This super-cool display of individually packaged bath goodies will allow you to become your own formulator and create custom bath blends for yourself and others! It will include Brown Barn's new line of essential oils, a nice selection of clays, bath additives, Milks (such as Goat and Coconut), Salts and more - all individually packaged for home use. With this comes a selection of bath "recipe" cards. We'll also be offering pre-made kits designed for your own use and great for gift-giving. Look for this to launch first in our Medford location and on-line in about 2 weeks!<br />
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5. Bride's Line: With Alyssa (Brown Barn Owner/Formulator) getting married next year we are taking this opportunity to follow her lead and offer out for sale all of the wonderful items she creates and gifts for her own wedding. From Bridesmaid gifts to Pre-Wedding Relaxation kits...you're sure to love this new offering.<br />
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NEW "OTHER" LINES/Line Changes:<br />
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1. Look for more new Olive Oils & Vinegars to be added for some Fall Flavor. Most recently we added Sage & Onion and Cranberry Walnut which are sure to bring added flavor to your Holiday meals. We are working on providing more recipes and cooking information to our customers by November 1st.<br />
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2. Several new jewelry designers were recently selected to be added to our Brown Barn lines when Alyssa and Chris (Brown Barn Owners) recently attended a fashion buyer's show in Minneapolis. Look for these items to launch with the opening of the new Chippewa store location around November 1st. Also, look for expanded items in our current selection from Lizzy J and Gypsy Leather jewelry.<br />
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3. Wines and wine glasses are being added continuously. Medford store staff is currently obtaining their Server's licenses. As soon as all of them have been turned in we will apply for the seller's license and begin Wine sales. We have some very popular wine flavors and are working on pairing these with an expanded/revised food line for November 1st launch. Once all of the staff in both stores are fully licensed and trained we'll be learning/planning some wine tastings in the stores.<br />
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NEW STORES/Changes:<br />
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1. Medford, WI: As I'm sure you are all aware, Brown Barn added a new store in Medford, WI this summer. It has been doing great! It has been so fun to see our Medford customers more regularly and be able to provide them with easy access to their products while also making new friends. For those of you who are not aware, the store is located on the corner of Hwy 13 and Perkins in the location previously used by Eartha Naturals. This is a very very small store which poses some unique challenges in stocking. We keep saying the store acts like Hermione's purse from the Harry Potter books...we keep putting more and more items in it and the store keeps accepting the items!<br />
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Look for Medford store to see some new faces this fall as Lindsey Meyer moves to our Chippewa Falls location while she attends UW-Eau Claire and Megan Dallas moves to Chippewa in the role of Store Manager! If you are interested in applying for one of these newly vacated clerk positions please do so this week as we are interviewing now.<br />
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2. Chippewa Falls, WI: Our new Chippewa Falls, WI store location is tentatively slated to open November 1st. There is some renovation required in this location so pending all goes well our customers can look forward to a large, beautiful shopping space. The Chippewa store will then be Brown Barn's "premiere" location, launching what we hope will be a series of stores in more populated areas over the next several years.<br />
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This location has a dedicated private space which will allow Brown Barn to offer customer classes in Essential Oils, Soaping, Candle-Making and more. Classes have been requested repeatedly by our customers over the years so we are thrilled to have the space to not only offer the classes but be able to sell the supplies for use in home crafting as well.<br />
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The Chippewa Falls store will also house a fragrance bar, the entire selection of Bar Soap scents (over 110 handmade soap scents to choose from!), expanded/full-size Olive Oil/Vinegar tasting bar, expanded wine selection (pending licensure), and expanded gourmet items, Full jewelry and personal care lines, Bath Robes/Pajamas and so much more!<br />
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Follow our Facebook page here to see the store's progress over the coming months: https://www.facebook.com/BrownBarn <br />
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3. Holcombe, WI: In what can only be described as an unexpected chain of events we find our Holcombe, WI flagship store in Growing Pains right now. This store location is actually part of our manufacturing process. Because of reduced sales due to its remote location/seasonal sales the staff of this store also act as product finishers, bottle fillers, Internet Order processors, and shopping bag/sample producers. In this way, the store sales are supplemented by the needs/sales of our other stores and Internet sales which allow the store to continue to remain open during the very very quiet September thru May sales period.<br />
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Brown Barn has experienced a fantastic growth spurt in sales this year resulting in increased demand on the manufacturing/retail production side of the Holcombe store. We anticipate the new stores will increase these demands even more thru Christmas. This is wonderful news for our Holcombe staff! We've even hired two new employees (1.5 FTE) over the last few weeks and increased other employees hours to full or almost full-time.<br />
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We now find ourselves in a "Catch 22" type situation. On the one hand we have increased sales in Holcombe over the summer and the clerks are busier than ever with their background duties and on the other hand we know that with the opening of two new locations relatively near the Holcombe store that the Holcombe store will experience reduced sales from our customers who travel to the store from these areas and also from the usual sales dip experienced Fall thru Spring.<br />
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We had intended to reduce our sales floor in Holcombe to half so as not to require two clerks during busier days and to reduce our rent expenses so they are more in line with the anticipated reduction in store sales. At the same time, the neighboring Pizza Parlor also left the mall. We'd been using an unused shared bathroom area between the two businesses for temporarily housing unsightly empty packing boxes awaiting break-down or re-purposing and for serving as a waiting dock for the boxes of products being delivered to the other stores. It worked great because the driver could back the van to the door, load the boxes out of the bathrooms and drive away.<br />
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When the pizza parlor left we received a call from the landlord telling us we would no longer have use of the bathrooms for this purpose as he would need access to the neighboring unit and be dividing the units out for individual use. This means we have nowhere to go with the unsightly boxes and the cases of products awaiting delivery.<br />
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Our only cost effective option, after considering all of the available Holcombe rental locations, is to temporarily close the Holcombe store until we either find another location in Holcombe that can adequately house our production areas and retail sales OR until we build a building (preferable for many reasons). This retail store has to stay in Holcombe as that is where our lab is located. We entertained moving the store to another nearby town in order to serve our regular local customers but it just is not sensible to separate the manufacturing arms of the company at this time. Local sales alone are not enough to support the store acting as a retail store throughout the entire year. Without the additional financial support provided by the Internet order processing and manufacturing support the store would lose too much money to make it viable.<br />
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NO staff members will lose their jobs in the store closure. In fact, as mentioned previously, we've actually added staff and increased existing hours. This will continue to happen. Manufacturing and distribution will remain in Holcombe. The retail store will be closed with it's last day being Sunday, September 15.<br />
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I know many of you are dear friends of this store and will want to know where your favorite clerks and staff members are going to be working! Here is where you'll see them:<br />
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Ashley Jones will be in our Chippewa Store. This has always been planned as Ashley lives in Chippewa.<br />
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Brenda Anderson will be stepping back into her role as the Brown Barn delivery van driver, which was also planned previously. Brenda will then work in the lab continuing to finish bags, soaps and make samples on the days she is not seen driving around the area delivering to the stores.<br />
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Shelby Justus will be relocated to the lab where she will assist in all areas and learn to make lovely Brown Barn goodies.<br />
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Chas Dixon will continue in her role as Lab Manager with even more employees working under her watchful eye. (We also just hired another new part-time lab assistant whose name will be announced later this week!)<br />
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Amy Albers will be busy training new employees, smacking the bugs out of our POS systems, overseeing retail store production needs and assisting as needed.<br />
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4. Web Sites: The Brown Barn web-site is currently being professionally rebuilt using what we've been promised will be a "state of the art" platform. We are hoping to a see a completely new, more user friendly and beautiful web-site sometime this fall.<br />
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So here we have our fall line-up! We hope you continue to enjoy shopping our stores and on-line. We could not be more excited with all of the new growth of Brown Barn. Thank you to all of our lovely customers...you have been so supportive and such great friends.<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-18525080282018280162014-07-27T10:51:00.000-05:002014-07-27T11:03:40.550-05:00Organics - More than Just a LabelLately I've noticed a new crop of businesses coming up within our handmade community. "Organics". With names that include "Organics" at the end, these new companies lead consumers to believe that their products are indeed - organic. With an abundance of what I like to refer to as "Kitchen Sink" style companies selling everything from Baby Wipes to Bar Soap I am especially wary of this free use of the word "Organics".<br />
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*What is Organic?<br />
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Organic means that the plants used in the product were grown without chemicals such as chemical fertilizers or chemical bug killers. It means that the products were grown in an all natural manner. Because using chemical controls is cheaper than all natural controls Organic products tend to cost quite a bit more than non-organic products.<br />
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In the cosmetics/soap industry if a product contains 80% or more Organic ingredients it can be considered Organic. The reason for this is that products such as bar soap include other ingredients such as lye, which are not organic.<br />
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*Is Organic the Same as All Natural?<br />
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No. Often I snatch up a product with the word "Organics" on its label or in the company name and flip it over to read the ingredient list. Many times I am disappointed to find the products contain sulfates, parabens, chemical preservatives and more.<br />
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All Natural means the product is made from materials that come from plant or earth based all natural origin. Most of Brown Barn's bases are all natural. If a Brown Barn product is scented with essential oil it is usually 100% all natural but not organic. If it uses a fragrance oil (such as Moonlight Pomegranate) it is what we like to refer to as "Nearly Natural" because the only non-natural ingredient is the fragrance oil.<br />
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Because of the 80% ruling, products can actually be made with USDA Certified Organic materials and still be "Nearly" Natural because they include fragrance oil or chemical preservatives.<br />
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*USDA Organic<br />
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There is a difference between a product being made with Certified Organic materials and the company/product/lab itself being certified Organic. The USDA has a stringent and rigorous program which allows companies to have their lab spaces certified Organic. This year Brown Barn has been preparing to undergo this certification process. This calls for taking measures to ensure the Organic materials do not mix with non-organic materials and that production facilities and methods protect against contamination of Organic material with non-organic materials. Because of this Brown Barn is looking to relocate its lab to a larger facility in order to better meet the requirements of the USDA.<br />
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*If a Company uses the word "Organics" in its name can I assume it is Certified Organic?<br />
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No. I recently contacted a company whose baby products we were thinking of carrying to find out more about them. This company has the word "Organics" in its company name however their product labels did not have the Certified USDA Organic mark.<br />
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Here is how this conversation unfolded:<br />
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Me: Do you make your own products or do you private label products that come from another maker?<br />
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"Other Organics" Company: We make our products in our studio behind our house. It's a really cute shed.<br />
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Me: Is your "Studio" certified Organic?<br />
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"Other Organics" Company: No - but we use ingredients that are certified organic from another company.<br />
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Now this tells me that this company may or may not be following protocols to ensure their products meet the criteria for being USDA Certified Organic. Because they've not gone through the process of having their work-space USDA Certified Organic we cannot know this for sure. This company, whose products are featured in many Baby magazines and used on thousands of babies is not Certified Organic, it just has the word "Organics" in its name. We are asked to trust them based on their word that the products they are making in the shed behind their house are being produced in a trustworthy manner that ensure the Organic materials are not mixing with/being contaminated by non-organic materials.<br />
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Because this company is not certified Organic but uses the word "Organics" in its name customers just assume that this company is providing an Organic product that meets all of the standards of Organic production. In reality, this company is not monitored by any agency and we must rely on their word that they are following good protocols.<br />
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Brown Barn uses Certified Organic ingredients throughout its line. We also use Organically Grown/Produced ingredients. We do not use the word "Organic" on our front label because we would never want to mislead a customer.<br />
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*What is the Difference Between Certified Organic and Organically Grown?<br />
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An example of a Certified Organic ingredient is the flowers from a Chamomile plant that is grown in a USDA Certified Organic Greenhouse where all elements are controlled and no chemicals have been used in the greenhouse. An example of an Organically Grown ingredient would be the leaves from a Birch Tree grown in the woods where no chemicals are present or a Chamomile plant grown outside in a field that has not been USDA Certified Organic but whose farmer promised he used no chemicals.<br />
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Unfortunately we cannot always just "trust" that everyone is true to their word. Because of this we strongly recommend that if you desire Organic products you either stick to companies that use the USDA Certified Organic mark on their label (it is illegal to use this unless you are indeed Certified Organic) or only purchase from companies you can trust.<br />
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Brown Barn hopes to be able to offer USDA Certified Organic products under its Sister Company label "Honest Balance" in the coming year. By becoming certified ourselves we hope to keep our costs down and be able to bring an Organic product to our customers that is affordable and maintains the high quality our customers enjoy from Brown Barn and Brown Burl.<br />
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The next time you pick up a product from a company with the word "Organics" in the name look for the USDA Certified Organic seal to be sure you are getting what you are paying for.<br />
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Have a great Sunday!<br />
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Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-58488841447041576812014-05-20T08:15:00.003-05:002014-05-20T08:15:21.949-05:00Brown Barn Artisanal - Who are we? WHAT are we?When I look back over the last several years and my time in my business, The Brown Barn Company, I am amazed at the transformation - of us, myself, my family, our employees and most of all our brand.<br />
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Starting out with the goal of bringing the best quality handmade bath & body products available to our customers seemed simple enough at first - but then we found other products we fell in love with and wanted to share with our customers. Tea, Coffee, Cheese, Ice Cream..Wine, Chocolates, Olive Oil and Vinegar...wait a minute - those are not bath products (most of the time)! We had a problem - how can we sell all of this and still remain true to our original vision? Does our vision fit anymore? Now what?<br />
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We have spent the last 18 months pondering and striving to answer these questions and more.<br />
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- Have we changed? After much reflection and discussion, Alyssa (my daughter and business partner) and I realized that what we really wanted to bring to our customers had changed. We'd moved from wanting to provide a great bath product to wanting to provide great products that enrich the lives of our customers on many levels. We recognized that creating a soulful lifestyle is about more than a good hot bath (oooooo...I can't believe I just said that!!!). We looove our bath products, our bath products are our heart - our soul - but there is just so much more to share! A great bath is made better when it includes a small tray of chocolate truffles, a cup of tea or a glass of wine. A morning shower is followed by that perfect cup of coffee...Coffee with toast and yummy jam....Jam and toast on a pretty plate....A beautiful towel to dry the plate after you use it...the list just goes on. We find we love all of these products and soon found we wanted to make them all - but that was out of the question - we do a great job of making bath products but we can't make cheese, coffee, tea and towels. We can however, sell them!<br />
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- What do we sell? Brown Barn isn't just about baths anymore. Brown Barn is now a marketplace for Artisanal and other quality vendors. We have added culinary, gourmet and home decor products with clothing and jewelry coming next. Our goal is to bring you into our lives and share what we love - from bath to food to home items. We've removed the "bath" boundaries we'd self-imposed and opened our lines up to other vendors and products. Now we are only limited by our imagination and the lines we are able to locate.<br />
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- Who do we sell? Even though we've expanded our lines we are still being extremely fussy about who gets to be part of the Brown Barn product line. Vendors are carefully selected based on some simple questions - Will it serve the needs of our customers? Is it good for us and our customers? Is it made well? Packaged beautifully? Does the price make sense? Can it be reproduced so we can keep selling it? And more importantly - do we, as the owners of the company - absolutely love it??<br />
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- How do we sell? We also recognized that it wasn't enough for the customers to walk in the store, pick something off the shelf and walk out. I was always a little let down when selling this way. I have a Master's degree in Education so perhaps its been ingrained into me to teach, and I was a real "hands-on" type teacher so putting up a poster and leaving it at that just is not enough for me. We want the customers to experience the products and the process, to learn and feel when they come into Brown Barn. It's taken us almost two years of research and trial and error but we feel we've fallen onto the right products and selling methods for Brown Barn and our customers seem to agree! When you visit Brown Barn stores now you will find a blending bar where you can sniff and blend your own fragrance and then watch your product being finished in front of you; you can sample a tea and coffee before purchasing; you'll soon be able to sample your own blends of Olive Oil & Vinegar before buying the perfect combination for your table; you'll be able to taste wines before buying. We want you to have a sensory experience as much as a visual. We want the store to be exploratory - smell, sight, taste, touch.<br />
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- What does this make us? Well - it makes us more than a bath store but less than a department store. We've been stewing on this question quite a bit. We think we are an Artisanal Marketplace. You may have already noticed a change in our logo to "Artisanal Products - Authentic Living - from Seed to Soul". We are focused on bringing great products from vendors we love and trust, trying to not only focus just on the small hand-makers but also celebrate the ingenuity and superior product lines of larger companies who do it well. We are not going to be locked into a small niche but we are going to create our own niche - the Brown Barn line.<br />
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We hope you enjoy your next visit to a Brown Barn store. We are planning on opening stores regularly throughout Wisconsin in the coming years and expanding from there. We are also working on new web-sites and trying to come up with ways to bring the store experience to our customers virtually.<br />
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Thank you to all who have remained on this journey with us and welcome to those who are just now joining us! We hope we are able to help you find the perfect products to feed your soul and warm your home.<br />
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Christine Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-20792305260950502562014-05-17T17:09:00.001-05:002014-05-18T15:25:00.040-05:00Brown Barn Blending Bar Fragrance Encyclopedia<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em><b>Floral Scents:</b></em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Aloha Waikiki: </em>Plumeria and Tiare with sun kissed Sugar Cane.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Day at the Spa: </em>Notes of lemongrass and black currant with hints of patchouli and sugar cane. A great year-round fragrance infused with natural lemongrass, patchouli, and lime essential oils.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Gardenia:</i> Brown Barn's Founders favorite summer scent and perhaps Brown Barn's most romantic floral fragrance. This Gardenia is sweet and soft. Heliotrope, Jasmine and Freesia keep this scent from becoming too sweet.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Green Tea and White Pear:</em> Sweet succulent pears effortlessly complement the fresh green tea scent in this zesty fragrance. Notes of crisp citrus, pears and apples blends well with gardenia, lilac, powder and vanilla.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Honeysuckle:</em> A true sweet honeysuckle.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Japanese Cherry Blossom:</em> A Brown Barn favorite! Tender cherry blossom, sensual white lily and blushing violet petals blended with a hint of warm vanilla. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Jasmine Vanilla:</em> Beautifully garnished silk white jasmine petals. This engaging rose fragrance comes to full bloom with creamy vanilla and classic rose.</span></div>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Lilac: </span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">This Lilac fragrance is so near to the real thing you will think you've been transported when you close your eyes. Not too sweet, just right.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Lavender Essential Oil:</em> The true lavender, made from oil distilled from the plant. Great for relaxing and soothing aromatherapy effects.</span></div>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Moonlight Pomegranate: </span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">I</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">ntensively purple with sparkling notes of Citrus, Dewberry and Cassis to dress up the deeper notes of Musk, Sandalwood and Vanilla. This fragrance is deep and sensual with a sweet tart twist.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Peony:</i> An elegant, not to cloying or sweet, Peony fragrance. Sophisticated and summery.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pink:</i> Neroli and Peony with Violets and Juniper.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Sweet Pea: </i>Very near to the real thing. Sweet and young, bright and fresh.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Tuberose Moss:</i> Sophisticated honey Tuberose with under-notes of green moss. This elegant scent is quickly becoming a Brown Barn Summer standard.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Ylang Ylang:</i> Sophisticated Ylang Ylang blends well with floral notes.</span></div>
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<strong><em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Fruit Scents:</span></em></strong></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Black Raspberry Vanilla:</em> A Brown Barn favorite! Fresh, vine-ripened raspberries and blackberry notes mixed with Italian Bergamot, Pear with notes of Plum Wine, Vanilla Orchid and a silky, Cashmere Musk. Overall, it's sweet, silky and mouth-watering. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Cherry Almond:</em> A classic mixture of sweet cherries and rich almonds.</span></div>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Coconut: </span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">A great blending fragrance, this smells just like a coconut picked fresh from the tree.</span></div>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Coconut Lime Verbena:</span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">A tantalizing fusion of fresh coconut, lime and invigorating verbena soothed by luscious vanilla.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Country Apple:</i> Fresh picked apples with a touch of peach, lime and musk have made this a Brown Barn favorite with in-store customers.</span></div>
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<i>Lemongrass Essential Oil:</i> Unique, citrus with a bite. Lemongrass will awaken and energize.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Lime:</em> Another great blending oil, green and tart but not bitter.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Love Spell:</i> Orange, Peach, Cherry Blossom and Jasmine make this popular fragrance a classic.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Monkey Farts:</i> Fresh banana with sweet grapefruit, mandarin orange, kiwi, coconut cream, pink raspberries, strawberries and apples. A Brown Barn favorite, especially for the young or young at heart!</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Orange Essential Oil: </i>Another Brown Barn favorite with all customers. Uplifting, fresh and delightful. A sure to please choice.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Strawberry:</em> A freshly ripened Strawberry fragrance. Very true to the real thing. Blends well with 'Champagne' fragrance.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Tart Lemon:</em> A bright, pure, citrus lemon scent. Perfect for blending.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i><b>For Men (and Women!):</b></i></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Black Tie: </i>Sophisticated notes of black peppercorn and leather carefully blended with Patchouli, Musk and Citrus. A Brown Barn favorite!</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Cedar & Saffron: </i>Fragrant cedar infused with sensual Patchouli, Sandalwood and Vetiver. Eastern spices and a touch of musk finish this gorgeous blend out. Smokey and sexy.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Green Irish Tweed:</i> A refined gentlemen's scent similar to the same fragrance worn by Cary Grant, Richard Gere and Robert Redford. Sandalwood, Lemon Verbena, Iris, Violets and Amber.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Zanzibar Spice:</i> Mandarin leaf, agave nectar and African lotus perfectly paired with Cardamom, Nutmeg and Black Peppercorn. Undertones of Sandalwood and Tonka Bean make this a great choice for the sophisticated man (or woman!).</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Cashmere & Cotton: </i>Pomelo, bergamot, citrus, vanilla and sandalwood blend to an amazing rendition of fresh sheets blowing in the wind.</span><br />
<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></em><em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Champagne: </span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">A great blending fragrant oil, smells just like champagne. Perfect for any special occasion.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Eucalyptus & Spearmint:</i> A beautiful blend of Eucalyptus, Sage, Lavender and Spearmint leave you refreshed and renewed.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Green Aloe & Clover:</i> Fresh mown green fields, deep woods and touch of Jasmine.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Neroli:</em> This fragrance is made with Neroli essential oil strengthened with notes of Cinnamon, Dill weed, Eucalyptus and orange fragrance. </span></div>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">Oatmeal, Milk & Honey: </span></em><span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;">A Brown Barn favorite. Warm oatmeal with sweet milk and honey.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Patchouli Essential Oil:</em> Earthy and deep. Wonderful for blending, especially with Lavender, Rose or Orange.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Sandalwood Sensuous:</i> Deeply fragrant with rich notes of mahogany.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Spearmint:</i> Fresh and bright. Refreshing Spearmint.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><em>Ylang Ylang Essential Oil:</em> A sweet, deep aroma of sensual flowers. The flower is a small delicate bloom from the Cananga tree native to rainforests. It is known for its ability to lift spirits, promote relaxation and enhance sexuality. Ylang Ylang is considered an aphrodisiac and has a soft, luxurious aroma. It is wonderful to sooth panic, anxiety and calm nerves. </span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Vanilla Woods:</i> Rich vanilla with earthy undertones makes this a deep and sophisticated scent perfect for blending.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Warm Vanilla Sugar:</i> Rich and decadent vanilla and brown sugar with hints of musk.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><i>Dancing Waters: </i>This blend leaves you thinking of beaches and vacations. Cyclamen and Freesia round this scent out to complete loveliness.</span></div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-2640961468662164082013-12-28T08:31:00.001-06:002013-12-28T08:41:48.769-06:00Brown Barn Oil InfusionsInfused shampoo, infused oil, herbal infusions, botanical infusions, gem infusions...you name it and lately it seems to be on market shelves. We know its good for us but what is it? Why do we want it?<br />
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<i>What is "Infused"?</i> Infused means that plant material or some other component has has been instilled into a base oil, water or other liquid. Think of it like making tea, you infuse the flavor and antioxidants present in the tea into water which you drink. It's that simple. Brown Barn makes botanically infused oil using plant material. We also have made limited edition lotions with Gem Infusions such as Turqouise and Citrine. (You will see a whole new line of this in the future at Brown Barn!)</div>
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<i>Why Infuse?</i> Each plant has special characteristics. We love the qualities that can be added to Brown Barn products by using the infusion method. Some plants, such as Raspberry Leaves, are full of Polypeptides and Flavonoids to help fight aging while others, such as Calendula and Chamomile, soothe irritated skin. By infusing our oils with these natural skin enhancing plants we are able to bring a wide variety of qualities to our products without the use of chemicals.</div>
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<i>Why not just use Essential Oils? Aren't they the same thing? </i>Essential oils are much stronger and more highly concentrated than infusions. They are wonderful too and Brown Barn uses them freely in conjunction with their infusions. Think of the difference between Essential Oils and Infusions as the difference between a really strong cup of coffee (the Essential Oil) and a weak cup of tea (the infusion). Essentials oils are made using a different type of process, they are distilled thru a process that often uses expression, steam, or solvents to pull the oil from the plant. It takes far more plant material to make essential oil than to infuse. For example it takes about 150 pounds of Lavender plant to produce 1 pound of Lavender essential oil! When deciding between using an Essential Oil or Infusion we think about how much of the quality we are seeking is needed, for example we use Lavender primarily as an Essential Oil because we want to take advantage of the aromatherapy benefits Lavender brings with it as well as the physical skin enhancing traits of Lavender.</div>
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We love the gentle nature of infusion, the smaller footprint made on the environment and the fact that we can perform the infusion ourselves in our own labs. We love that we can actually grow and trace down that exact cultivar of Calendula that will bring the perfect color or attribute to our product. By growing the plants themselves or harvesting them from our own plots we can trace their origins - we know what storms that plant struggled thru, how old it is, what day of the year it was harvested. Why, we can even sing to it to help it grow if we want to! </div>
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By infusing our own oils we can also bring uinque plant materials to our products that are not readily available thru distributors. For example this year we launched <a href="http://www.brownburl.com/" target="_blank">Brown Burl</a> wildcrafted products which use materials we harvest ourselves from the forest. Essential oils can drive the price of your products up very quickly with little real difference in outcome between using essential oil or infusion. Also, because essential oils are so strong we can sometimes be limited in how much essential oil is used in a product where infusions can be countless because of the type of process we use. </div>
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<i>How is it done?</i> There are several methods Brown Barn uses to infuse their oils. One is to simply place fresh or dried plant material into a container and pour oil or another base on top, mix and allow this mixture to sit for a length of time. Another is to warm the oil/plant mixture over very low heat or by solar heat for many hours until we are confident the plant has released its properties into the oil. We typically choose oils that have already been selected to be included in the formula such as apricot kernel oil or soy oil. </div>
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<i>Do I have to use Infused Oil in another product? Can I just use the oil straight on my skin?</i> Yes! You can use infused oil straight on your skin! It's so gentle it actually makes a fabulous body oil. <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/All-Natural-Artisanal-Oils_c76.htm" target="_blank">You can purchase infused Calendula, Chamomile or Lemon Balm Oil from Brown Barn.</a> You can use this oil as either a massage oil, body oil, bath oil or a product booster. For example, just put a bit of it in your hand, add your favorite lotion and mix together and you have boosted your lotion! Even though we refer to these oils as "unscented" they do carry a very light natural plant scent brought to the oil by the plant material infusion process.</div>
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<i>Who can Infuse? </i>Anyone can infuse. There is no FDA regulation on infusing products. However, you should seek reputable formulators when purchasing any body product. Unfortunately, due to lack of FDA regulation and enforcement of the rules they do have, there has recently been a surge of people claiming to be "home" formulators and making bath products that they have learned to make from shared You-Tube videos or other questionable resources. We are not against new people entering the marketplace and encourage all new ventures, afterall, we started out on a farm and in our greenhouse! However Brown Barn has a history of generations of women who have passed down their plant knowledge and infusion methods to us, with myself learning at their knee. Our formulator (and my daughter, Alyssa Untiedt) is a certified Aromatherapist and holds a University degree in Biology, we are members of the Cosmetic Chemists Society and National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and are experienced researchers. We research...all the time, everything. We have created our own databases of plant knowledge that we apply to our formulas. Our formulas are tested and are constantly being revised for improvement. And we utilize sound manufacturing practices in our production labs to ensure our customers are receiving healthy products.</div>
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<i>What is the future for Infusions at Brown Barn? </i>We began expanding our infusion practices this year and are planning a much larger expansion in 2014. This year we began adding our infusions to our formulas and educating customers about infused oils, we launched <a href="http://www.brownburl.com/" target="_blank">Brown Burl wildcrafted</a> products, which use plant materials we harvest and infuse from our private farm and woodlands. Unique plants such as Birch, Pine and Violets are used in these products. We also launched a small selection of <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/All-Natural-Artisanal-Oils_c76.htm" target="_blank">Artisanal Infused Oil</a> for our customers to purchase. Lastly, we launched our <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/All-Natural-Facial-Skincare_c78.htm" target="_blank">all natural Skincare line</a> which uses infused oils and astringents. This line represents our techniques used to full advantage and has been proving itself effective over and over.</div>
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In 2014 we will expand to utilizing our own greenhouses to grow the majority of the plant material we use in our infusions (right now we use a combination of our plants and those purchased from reputable dealers). Brown Barn customers will enjoy an expansion of the infusions in their products - making Brown Barn's already unique and fabulous formulations even better! </div>
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We hope to have both of our labs and our greenhouse USDA Certified as Organic Processing Facilities by the end of the year. We will be revising and expanding our line of <a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/All-Natural-Artisanal-Oils_c76.htm" target="_blank">Artisanal Infused Oils</a> to accomodate a higher demand for non-GMO base oils. And we will also be addressing this same issue in all of our Brown Barn products. We will be adding more Solar infused oils by using our glass greenhouse as a processing facility, allowing the oil to heat and soak in warm sunshine as part of the process.</div>
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Lastly - and I think most exciting - we will begin using our infused oils in Bar Soap production. When Brown Barn opened its first store, we made all of our own Bar Soap in our lab however we grew so fast and all of our products were so popular we found we had to find help from another fine handmade soaper to keep up. While we continued to produce our own Shampoo Bars and Molded Soaps, we distributed the bar soap. This also allowed us to concentrate on our higher end formulations such as lotions and facial products. While this soap is fantastic we want to bring our own formulation to the table as well. We will continue to sell our distributed line (because our customers love it so much!) but will be adding to this line our own bars to choose from. Now we are almost done opening a second lab, located on our little farm, dedicated to making bar soap. This soap will utilize our infused oils and other plant materials, with the goal of bringing a truly luxurious and therapeutic level to our bar soaps.</div>
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We look forward to sharing more Infusion Information with you as we add new infusions and products in the coming year!</div>
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Christine Untiedt</div>
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Founder</div>
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The Brown Barn Company llc</div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-79658103957103931592013-08-11T12:19:00.001-05:002013-08-11T20:57:39.199-05:00The Birth of a Product - From Idea to Market"Do you have This?", "Why don't you have That?", "You know, you really should carry These". We hear this all the time at Brown Barn. Bringing new products to Brown Barn market is a long and complex task, requiring a series of steps to ensure that products meet Brown Barn standards.<br />
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1. An idea is born. Typically, Brown Barn product ideas come from a hole in the line or one of those conversations that go like "You knoooow...it would be really cool if we.....". Ideas come from customers, our own imaginations and things we see on the market that we know we can improve on or need.<br />
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2. The idea is reviewed. Alyssa (my daughter and business partner) and I meet regularly to plan production and the introduction of new items. We seem to have a never ending list of needs in the research and development area of our company. Currently we are preparing to launch our new facial line this week. Yesterday we introduced a great new <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Hands-Feet_c9.htm" target="_blank">foot polish</a>. By October 1st we hope to launch the Brown Burl's wild-crafted bath and body line along with the new Honest Balance on-line magazine (a much better blog and fun articles with recipes and other great info). After that its Christmas planning and then we will be working on a Mommy & Me line as well as a Men's line. No wonder we are often tired!</div>
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3. Development. If we decide the idea is a good one the next step is to decide if we are ready and have the ability to develop the idea into a product. This is mostly a conversation between ourselves with a realistic look at where we are and where we are headed. New items need to pass the following questions: Is it something we have a need for? Is it something we are interested in? Is the item something our customers would like/buy? Can we make it for a price that is reasonable? Is the product able to be made using all (or nearly) natural ingredients? Does it fit Brown Barn's line? Is this an "emergency" item that is needed right now or can it wait until some other things are finished first? </div>
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4. Formulation. Alyssa generally takes the lead in the product formulation. She draws on her wide background and education to develop a formula for us to try. Often formulation requires research on-line or a call to a teacher or expert. I then look over the formula Alyssa develops in order to add input in terms of ingredients. For example if her formula calls for soy oil, I might suggest we use one of our new <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Artisanal-Herbal-Oils_c77.htm" target="_blank">infused oils</a> instead so as to add depth to the product and that Brown Barn personal touch. We also discuss fragrance and whether this item will be in our signature line or all natural line. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5CZM_oOQvQ9v-30SikPnndA2UrkmdEKcp1Xio4zXxBjialzIpdDcTm-uSHbLYCIjOG0TMyPNFdiXdso4qavde50UnuytBsCBUjUF7LX0kn4PIfSkHu9Kj9Y5jOfnaEOXAjH62a7lfB6O/s1600/Alyssa+-+Low+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5CZM_oOQvQ9v-30SikPnndA2UrkmdEKcp1Xio4zXxBjialzIpdDcTm-uSHbLYCIjOG0TMyPNFdiXdso4qavde50UnuytBsCBUjUF7LX0kn4PIfSkHu9Kj9Y5jOfnaEOXAjH62a7lfB6O/s320/Alyssa+-+Low+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alyssa working at the computer at the packaging station. The most important part of the product development happens while formulating at the computer.</td></tr>
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5. Production. Once the formula is finalized it is sent off to the Brown Barn lab where Chas makes a "test" of it. Chas has become a fabulous soaper in her own right and we are so happy to have her as part of the Brown Barn family. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmd-eQl-fyK4OY9pqQGl1a2bWc6B9CB9rmL1B-oCNIL1bH_TEyIY0DeBSl86dCu9LgtaEMpeiSrhhcibQvPVNf1jcPdDDD82wGnwcg4gW0wGXuzYW0Zs2CLU8ukg4h2_GnxS6_pAVWJFZ/s1600/Chas+1+-+Low.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmd-eQl-fyK4OY9pqQGl1a2bWc6B9CB9rmL1B-oCNIL1bH_TEyIY0DeBSl86dCu9LgtaEMpeiSrhhcibQvPVNf1jcPdDDD82wGnwcg4gW0wGXuzYW0Zs2CLU8ukg4h2_GnxS6_pAVWJFZ/s320/Chas+1+-+Low.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chas is blending up something yummy!</td></tr>
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6. We then "live" with our new product for awhile. This will include everything from watching for separation to testing for mold. Trying it out on ourselves, family, friends, innocent by-standers to get input and check for skin reactions. We may have to go back to the drawing board several times during this phase (driving Chas crazy!) while we tweak the formula or change ingredients. Our new foot polish was reformulated several times as it started out too hard and then went through a switch out of ingredients followed by a suggestion to add blue jojoba beads for fun and color. We find the more time we take in this phase the better the product.</div>
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7. Ingredients are Sourced. During the development phase we use small amounts of ingredients that we either have on-hand or order in. Before we can enter production we must source our ingredients to ensure they meet Brown Barn's high standards. Ingredients must pass a list of questions including - Is the supplier reputable? Can we find the ingredient grown/sourced in the USA? If not, where does it come from? Can the ingredient come from a renewable resource? Is the price of the ingredient reasonable or will it drive our final price too high? Is this an ingredient that will be in steady supply? Sometimes we find that we have to go back to re-formulation because we cannot source our desired ingredients reasonably or consistently. Once ingredients begin to arrive we check them carefully to ensure they meet our standards for quality, color and scent.</div>
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8. Containers are selected. What color and size of jar or bottle will the product be sold in?</div>
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9. Production. FINALLY...we enter production. Brown Barn typically moves to production with a small "starter order" for its Outlet Store. Chas is called in again to produce the final products. Depending on the product she might get to use new tools or larger equipment, such as our bottle filler.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwZWGkqJScAYXZ99JXisebCZLQd2iw4_USnRXpRwdoF2pB77ExOXCaQ3tT8_T3_IyGtDGEvWnJhDCvM2b6J_t9-iNdLveg1P3Rdb-w6dpv8cc7lvN8Niw06FRcLcqwicuD5OjEgtYXd-X/s1600/Chas+3+-+Low.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwZWGkqJScAYXZ99JXisebCZLQd2iw4_USnRXpRwdoF2pB77ExOXCaQ3tT8_T3_IyGtDGEvWnJhDCvM2b6J_t9-iNdLveg1P3Rdb-w6dpv8cc7lvN8Niw06FRcLcqwicuD5OjEgtYXd-X/s320/Chas+3+-+Low.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chas fills a bottle using our bottle filler.</td></tr>
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10. Labeling. Once the items are made they are carefully labeled with batch numbers and logs are filled out indicating everything we've done and every detail of the batch. The products are then loaded up and moved from the lab to the Outlet Store where the labels are applied. Store clerks spend their time labeling when they are not busy with customers or filling Internet or Wholesale orders. Brenda has become an old hand at label application!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uIhtfGc9krKM25natEC_reTFymhtoqiW1K7X_EN9FYCKkuWpvB4i91f1YS6S2FOwKzCEI76HdUGRlWan0Urd3gJ4JHxHylgLr3-CXdI6dEgnxHePq6Vvu-7t642tNLs0L1Z66bLyVaQh/s1600/Brenda+1+Low+Res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uIhtfGc9krKM25natEC_reTFymhtoqiW1K7X_EN9FYCKkuWpvB4i91f1YS6S2FOwKzCEI76HdUGRlWan0Urd3gJ4JHxHylgLr3-CXdI6dEgnxHePq6Vvu-7t642tNLs0L1Z66bLyVaQh/s320/Brenda+1+Low+Res.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda carefully applies a label to a lotion bottle. The labeling center was set up so staffers could enjoy a view of the woods while they work.</td></tr>
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11. Photography. Kathy takes all of these wonderful product pictures in our Photo Lab which has light boxes and other props. Kathy didn't get a picture for the blog of herself taking pictures of products! Kathy's pictures are used on Facebook and web-sites as well as some of them going into our brochures, emails and sent out to wholesalers for their own marketing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O1SA9uVrIQHAe9PFGvz4MG-P5pvb30L3sNd6r1ywj9w5RswHaaXsPwId6d_bYbmgz5_Kbt18C1A4jIrl4mij_AjD7jfSAO6WwKFwcq-hxsGuJ9L45zquiMrcF7RIwyPio5YxhO-a5e05/s1600/Label+11+-+Low.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O1SA9uVrIQHAe9PFGvz4MG-P5pvb30L3sNd6r1ywj9w5RswHaaXsPwId6d_bYbmgz5_Kbt18C1A4jIrl4mij_AjD7jfSAO6WwKFwcq-hxsGuJ9L45zquiMrcF7RIwyPio5YxhO-a5e05/s320/Label+11+-+Low.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is called a "glamour shot" of <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-All-Natural-Sugar-Scrub-002-001-1200.htm" target="_blank">Lavender Sugar Scrub</a>.</td></tr>
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12. Quality Control. Once labeled, the products are moved from the labeling area to the Quality Control rack. The clerk fills out a form indicating their name and which products they labeled in case we encounter problems such as crooked labels or mislabeling. Alyssa then reviews each product carefully to ensure the labeling meets Brown Barn high standards.</div>
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13. To Market! Once the product has passed thru QC it is entered into our inventory system and assigned a product number. Some of the products are placed for sale in the Brown Barn Outlet Store while others are put in the warehouse, where they will await sale thru Internet order, shipped out to wholesale or eventually sold in the Outlet Store as inventory is restocked, At this time the products are added to our web-sites and announced on Facebook and in customer emails. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqwU4z8sGdjcWnfp-buNBi60TSfbJ5ElAE2X6661m9VkUprR9NiK7Q_qdTwei0ASh5y3iqpQciQcAqLEU5ZS-61-uVQL_QiBERN_019hBa7fgFFXDTNpKUbxXdyhDNIJbFVgamc71rtEA/s1600/230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqwU4z8sGdjcWnfp-buNBi60TSfbJ5ElAE2X6661m9VkUprR9NiK7Q_qdTwei0ASh5y3iqpQciQcAqLEU5ZS-61-uVQL_QiBERN_019hBa7fgFFXDTNpKUbxXdyhDNIJbFVgamc71rtEA/s320/230.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar Soap lined out for sale at the Brown Barn Outlet Store in Holcombe, WI.</td></tr>
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14. We Re-evaluate. Brown Barn is constantly evaluating and re-evaluating its product line to determine if a product should stay, be dropped or changed. It is thru this constant reflection that our line has developed. </div>
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And there you have it! The birth of a product! The next time you pick up a Brown Barn product think of all the thought, time and care that has gone into bringing that product to market just for you. </div>
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Have a great Sunday!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Chris Untiedt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Founder</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Brown Barn Company llc</span></div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-81504123627747726632013-08-01T21:02:00.000-05:002013-08-02T19:04:24.026-05:00Artisanal Infused Oils 101<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">This week Brown Barn launched an all new product line! Artisanal Infused Herbal Oils. Brown Barn began producing these oils in Spring of 2013. We've been incorporating this rich oil into our bath product formulas for several months now and love it so much we decided to sell it as a direct oil for you to use at home.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">We began small with two Soybean oil based products infused in Chamomile for skin relief and Lemon Balm for relaxation. We also included a Calendula infused Olive Oil for those with very sensitive skin. More oils will be introduced regularly over the coming year.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Different from regular body oil, our infused oils are lightly scented to unscented natural oils that have been infused with plant stems leaves and/or flowers selected for the specific benefits each plant brings to your skin. To learn more about the individual oils we've introduced visit our web-site at: </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Artisanal-Herbal-Oils_c77.htm">http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Artisanal-Herbal-Oils_c77.htm</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Artisanal-Herbal-Oils_c77.htm"><br /></a></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">These oils have a number of uses but the one we like the most is as a lotion or product "booster" to your existing favorite bath items. Do you suffer from dry, itchy skin? Try adding a bit of our Chamomile Soy oil to your lotion to boost its effectiveness, making a custom formula from your existing products! The oils are also wonderful as bath and body oil or massage oil.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">What makes Brown Barn oils special?</span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Brown Barn produces its own herbal oils using an age old process of steeping the herb directly into the oil for a period of time and then dispensing the infused oil. We only use plant materials cultivated or wildcrafted (harvested from our own woods) fresh from our Wisconsin farm or sourced from other reliable organic growers. We feel that the more plant material Brown Barn can produce itself the more control we will have over the quality, cultivation, choice of cultivar and growing conditions of these plants. In other words - our good Karma will hopefully pass on thru the plants and into your products!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Why Soybean Oil?</span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of our oils are based in Soybean Oil (we chose Olive Oil to give a very mild alternative for Sensitive Skin). We gave careful consideration to the many types of oils available on the market and chose Soybean oil for its skin-loving qualities as well as the fact that many of our surrounding farm fields grow soybeans. What better way to celebrate our local farm heritage than to utilize a product grown locally?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Benefits of Soybean Oil: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Improves overall skin tone<br />- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines<br />- Effective moisturizing due to its small molecular structure, enabling Soybean oil to easily penetrate skin<br />- Less irritating to sensitive skin (with Olive Oil providing an even finer alternative for sensitive skin)<br />- Reduces blotchniess and discoloration by evening out the appearance of skin pigment<br />- Rich in Vitamin E, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and lecithin<br />- Soybean oil stimulates the synthesis of collagen, elastin and other proteins<br />- Soybean oil is a locally grown renewable resource</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are sure the Brown Barn Artisanal oils will find an important place in any skin care routine. You may purchase the oils at our Outlet Store or on-line at <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/">http://www.brownbarnbath.com</a>. Please feel free to contact us for suggestions on how use of these valuable oils can assist your specific skin needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christine Untiedt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Founder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Brown Barn Company llc</span><br />
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-52502139647882655912013-05-19T10:33:00.002-05:002013-05-19T12:02:55.781-05:00Running Back Home...The Little FarmHave you ever thought about running away from home? Just leaving and trying a different lifestyle? I had this gift given to me two years ago when we decided to move forward with The Brown Barn Company retail stores and marketing. At the time I didn't realize that Brown Barn would take me so far from home for so long and it certainly was not my intent, but away it did take me.<br />
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I call this time away a gift because I truly did not appreciate my life on the Little Farm before I was called away. I felt I was slowly spinning my wheels, that no matter how hard I worked, I just could not get the Brown Barn brand and products out to enough people fast enough using the Internet alone. I had procrastinated the decision to really jump in with Brown Barn as long as I possibly could but a turning point had occurred, it was either shut it down or ramp it up. I chose to ramp it up and have not regretted one single moment of the time and effort it took to do this.<br />
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Most people would not choose to leave their home to "go out in the big world" and spread the message of their business in the manner we did. And I certainly do not recommend it as a choice for everyone - it was the right choice from me though. I needed to throw my hat in the ring and Brown Barn deserved the effort to become a "real" business in the greater market-place. I also knew that the only way the Little Farm would be productive as the Brown Barn Company was for us to establish the Brown Barn business first, then come back to the farm. It seems backwards - but this was the only way we could make things happen. We'd tried other avenues and all had come to dead-ends. So out into the world went the Brown Barn Company, taking a break from the farm.<br />
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Now that the Brown Barn Company has taken another turn in its life, going over to primarily Wholesaling and Internet sales, I have suddenly found myself at home again on the Little Farm - back where I started and joyful to be here.<br />
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I am loving being home again but this time with a more focused purpose. The farm will be the location of our second lab, where we will be producing bar soap, candles and infusing herbal oils to be sold individually and used in the popular Brown Barn lotions, sugar scrubs and massage bars. I will also be conducting the business portion of the wholesaling, updating the web-sites and more from there. By leaving I was able to learn and come back with a fresh, new purpose for myself, Brown Barn and the Little Farm and will hopefully breathe a new, more focused and productive life into the place and my own world.<br />
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Like all home-comings, mine is filled with joy, exclamation and raised eyebrows. When I left to start and supervise the retail stores my yard had been my pride and joy. After running the greenhouse as a business for many years I'd accumulated an expansive variety of perennials and had spread wood mulch around every bed, tree, shrub and building in approximately a five acre area. We'd built a "micro-climate" fenced garden for lavender and roses and had put a few years into dedicated organic herb production. Our small orchard was just beginning to produce fruit and I had neat rows of canned fruit spreads, jams and garnishes on my kitchen shelves. Whole whiskey barrels overflowing with flowers decorated the landscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG08gBHZB3HFJqin0_pzpH2oSa4iL-rH3kSS3AsUpDjkO_VtsCjRTkoMnOCXTbpBax-cLXY9UjC4I7bD9eaLxs9RNMys_yfaV-rRWJ50KZYmHajcAuIIIWEOv26hxdVXgGY_FmI82lDkYe/s1600/Walled+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG08gBHZB3HFJqin0_pzpH2oSa4iL-rH3kSS3AsUpDjkO_VtsCjRTkoMnOCXTbpBax-cLXY9UjC4I7bD9eaLxs9RNMys_yfaV-rRWJ50KZYmHajcAuIIIWEOv26hxdVXgGY_FmI82lDkYe/s320/Walled+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fenced "micro-climate" garden for Lavender and Roses.</td></tr>
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The retail stores had unexpectedly taken up so much of my time so quickly and unexpectedly that I literally was here one day and gone the next, never feeling I could take a moment to come back to the farm. We were left with no choice but to abandon the farm for awhile in favor of pushing the Brown Barn brand name forward with the plan of eventually coming back to the farm and implementing greater production from it. While I was gone the Little Farm became a "work space" for my husband's Wastewater business (for those of you who do not know what this is - it is spreading manure, whey or liquid waste from large manure/waste lagoons pits at the large Wisconsin farms and cheese factories - a dirty but important process for dairy agriculture).<br />
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I thought, okay, he's one man, alone in the house and on the farm for awhile, how much damage could he do? Oh Boy!! While my husband did his best, he is uber-focused on his business and business is all he is focused on. The lawns were minimally mowed by hired hands, the greenhouse is now weedy and the house - always in a state of half-renovation is worse than ever. I have so many projects going on right at home I am not even sure where to begin or when I'll be able to leave guilt-free again!<br />
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Yesterday I did the first of what will be many "mows" of the large yard, gardens and orchard. I found left to go wild, Mother Nature has made a big step forward in reclaiming the little farm. All of the trees and shrubs are in need of trimming, weeds are rampant - grown into the flower beds so tight I fear giving up and mowing off is the only way to deal with them, "weed trees" have grown up among the shrubs and a "gift" from a neighbor of wild bamboo has invaded the entire front yard. My beloved fenced garden is so tight with grass and weeds I cannot imagine how to even begin to proceed in that area and my lovely whiskey barrels have been used as garbage cans for some of our employees! I also realize I will need to focus more on the business of the Little Farm/Brown Barn than on the decorations (and like most women, I do love to decorate!)<br />
<br />
But as bad as things have been let go there are still some beauties fighting their way thru the weeds and the farm is still pretty in its state of wild disrepair. Here are some pics from yesterday's first Spring mow on the Little Farm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq91-pd_SopbZJKCaSjwWbr0oi93IHn8cMPGI-upk7i-Svspo8XSkqIkOX6vERcJN1WT0Fw9PJuOLfeU32MraOg9mg2_K5LPO4TMVV1toHwD2beryBg789mKXOx_Z7yNH7K0O5SvhH6bU/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq91-pd_SopbZJKCaSjwWbr0oi93IHn8cMPGI-upk7i-Svspo8XSkqIkOX6vERcJN1WT0Fw9PJuOLfeU32MraOg9mg2_K5LPO4TMVV1toHwD2beryBg789mKXOx_Z7yNH7K0O5SvhH6bU/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plum trees in bloom this week.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSM5aJfw2B1_YJOTJaLFxq5yRbyDjxq3Dsib1_AGGV78cRVonyxO2_woUyiNJ6voc7lSqaUoNE3_7gjLZ6Zv8x4lL-fAj-X4qvut2q888uw4bKLmRBmh__o3LF9c_jG2_RS6deNJXTQFk/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSM5aJfw2B1_YJOTJaLFxq5yRbyDjxq3Dsib1_AGGV78cRVonyxO2_woUyiNJ6voc7lSqaUoNE3_7gjLZ6Zv8x4lL-fAj-X4qvut2q888uw4bKLmRBmh__o3LF9c_jG2_RS6deNJXTQFk/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7BVtTRDRsYGmR-eADinDX6RLAabh2T_lB3QG4J8X4-rlaQngVRiEfKAJ_phG19ER0M8VZkpZQL5T4XUYHMzl_e1Nz9G9OsUmwhgQTqi7YGbBvwlQztgIYq_8fjZPYwCqH9BqyjCAh_Si/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7BVtTRDRsYGmR-eADinDX6RLAabh2T_lB3QG4J8X4-rlaQngVRiEfKAJ_phG19ER0M8VZkpZQL5T4XUYHMzl_e1Nz9G9OsUmwhgQTqi7YGbBvwlQztgIYq_8fjZPYwCqH9BqyjCAh_Si/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I watched these Fritallarias grow almost overnight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PZHw4hh4xI8kvqW_x9XOxYUlMLnbkNjUfvIdRBGHZpQaQYRaCw4pZx0xdnrqKvzIROKAkArIiZe3uRRvrbkibjK3Yt4CJEh1Snu0sznfriG9q5te23spbO0K0nLGP9g_JkkGulWVAMIJ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PZHw4hh4xI8kvqW_x9XOxYUlMLnbkNjUfvIdRBGHZpQaQYRaCw4pZx0xdnrqKvzIROKAkArIiZe3uRRvrbkibjK3Yt4CJEh1Snu0sznfriG9q5te23spbO0K0nLGP9g_JkkGulWVAMIJ/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures do not do justice to how very large these tulips are, I was pleasantly surprised to find that even without proper mulching and feeding they are happily growing and multiplying right thru the weeds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrWo1qa48973N0n13B9Dh0kc5jvJ1uFOu74rvXVOXEdqKav4cI1id6GLlp7lsi22qbPSJq-LPzMI7cOV7wkTIu0aJr6PSMDRJFV4i2arvaE7uD_8m-j3qY5mdqGEnWafmxPBIE2yxBziJ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrWo1qa48973N0n13B9Dh0kc5jvJ1uFOu74rvXVOXEdqKav4cI1id6GLlp7lsi22qbPSJq-LPzMI7cOV7wkTIu0aJr6PSMDRJFV4i2arvaE7uD_8m-j3qY5mdqGEnWafmxPBIE2yxBziJ/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeds weeds weeds in the background of this "Peony" tulip.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOYO6Qi0SRnKYRfMLe7i6u8NbbrRMsWlaQkf7acEZVLFb__Lb988h6Ss_wSrF-7_b7YuhRrRaM-j5urjwnktUbnILVsEXQg64c4Tm5QDVR0Ju928D5YuyoHG9x_z3NRUBp8Hoep0IgimS/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOYO6Qi0SRnKYRfMLe7i6u8NbbrRMsWlaQkf7acEZVLFb__Lb988h6Ss_wSrF-7_b7YuhRrRaM-j5urjwnktUbnILVsEXQg64c4Tm5QDVR0Ju928D5YuyoHG9x_z3NRUBp8Hoep0IgimS/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6spC3sPW-fHifz3DDeQTAz4AyPZ-ugBF1fckLo-ox5bEVtMtNl-aPARf5lmpZcR1gx0GGPfo3n1AmaMasb6gS9Vq7-FK-GjQfy9y-7UjHHWfR-mZBqifTe4FdYLHIloGXrADKLviVwP8/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6spC3sPW-fHifz3DDeQTAz4AyPZ-ugBF1fckLo-ox5bEVtMtNl-aPARf5lmpZcR1gx0GGPfo3n1AmaMasb6gS9Vq7-FK-GjQfy9y-7UjHHWfR-mZBqifTe4FdYLHIloGXrADKLviVwP8/s320/009.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure how to approach the weed issue, I might have to actually dig out all of the bulbs and replant.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8-zgmc-qsUJ9v-OOoOaJ5QWwm2uLHnFR6tTxzASA0oDhx2tLsNDgJUh79Jh455VkGKNnU-M0JwzQOq5LjIiMorMhTG6sPpeHjjIplQO91lcFDNGJDRPDtUd21Ok3jJnZpv2oLcLAag_Z/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8-zgmc-qsUJ9v-OOoOaJ5QWwm2uLHnFR6tTxzASA0oDhx2tLsNDgJUh79Jh455VkGKNnU-M0JwzQOq5LjIiMorMhTG6sPpeHjjIplQO91lcFDNGJDRPDtUd21Ok3jJnZpv2oLcLAag_Z/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGg2zrP7DSQr_WDaJ7C5CVG-dnlbPeBYmUvUx93uUZXrEcD9hjEmOk73IAfXR89BrUnKVvD9qvZU5-grZjBZwnsGiLBq5fK9dAuoh959ORYIWTtqekJ75Qapf-SuQCAT_ezgxZ41yPG63/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGg2zrP7DSQr_WDaJ7C5CVG-dnlbPeBYmUvUx93uUZXrEcD9hjEmOk73IAfXR89BrUnKVvD9qvZU5-grZjBZwnsGiLBq5fK9dAuoh959ORYIWTtqekJ75Qapf-SuQCAT_ezgxZ41yPG63/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil95I0c9Sf3QarTXlOFYqstZWZP0LgTD6B_TpXNMLPqz8PLvdlnv3XDVJr8pgN1eyK5ja58Y4fZactsvF4LeJs56OGUR2jLkLfeEDMX61mbHXlAwunUHxG7cIHlKBAdtcNPfyPCSHVP5Rg/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil95I0c9Sf3QarTXlOFYqstZWZP0LgTD6B_TpXNMLPqz8PLvdlnv3XDVJr8pgN1eyK5ja58Y4fZactsvF4LeJs56OGUR2jLkLfeEDMX61mbHXlAwunUHxG7cIHlKBAdtcNPfyPCSHVP5Rg/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola, our son's Border Collie has come to live on the little farm with us as our son has joined my husband in his business. She's like having a child on the farm again and loves to jump in my garden pond. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7KVFH54IeJlSiI-KJifb68PKd-O3V2c4OH24cajTesrOujwVTMHUmd4njC-jfnSU2Rq65Q3paD1ZZ5UMpwGfAabry_n5D0Pm23ehDoQM6r16ElZ71p2bj4u1rc67kEe4mu9EXRxEMmpw/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7KVFH54IeJlSiI-KJifb68PKd-O3V2c4OH24cajTesrOujwVTMHUmd4njC-jfnSU2Rq65Q3paD1ZZ5UMpwGfAabry_n5D0Pm23ehDoQM6r16ElZ71p2bj4u1rc67kEe4mu9EXRxEMmpw/s320/020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barn is slowly being re-claimed by Mother Nature - just like all of us!</td></tr>
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Today is calling for rain and candle-making is calling my name. I hope your Sunday is productive, lazy and restful all at once. If any readers have suggestions for how to deal with the weeds in my garden please share them...I need every ounce of help I can get!!<br />
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~Chris Untiedt, Owner, The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
<br />
<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-1386567556954363462013-04-11T19:56:00.000-05:002013-04-11T20:53:23.688-05:00Infused Oils<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I
mentioned in last week’s blog, Brown Barn is so excited to begin production of a new line
of herbal oil infusions. These oils will
be used in our new All Natural spa product line, in our soap production, a line of
Mommy and Me products and sold individually. We have been away from the farm for too long and cannot wait to get back to growing and drying our own herbs and using them in our products.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKdaSPdZB1seu_O3FqI6uQPoK3BlUFyXga0jfO2q5pAVg1wJiWGnJ2HOnfCtDYn6LD5SC03nnoxI_gPH0vY7B6EVSI49jGaLgP0mvKG074MSsAjR3zgGM4jFsAWW26matuXZzGKpk6_Ob/s1600/greenhouse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKdaSPdZB1seu_O3FqI6uQPoK3BlUFyXga0jfO2q5pAVg1wJiWGnJ2HOnfCtDYn6LD5SC03nnoxI_gPH0vY7B6EVSI49jGaLgP0mvKG074MSsAjR3zgGM4jFsAWW26matuXZzGKpk6_Ob/s320/greenhouse+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary bundles drying in the Brown Barn.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is an
Herbal Oil Infusion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Herbal oils
have been used for a variety of purposes for hundreds of years. This is a type of oil in which whole dried or
fresh herbs have been “soaked” in an oil base for a period of time. This process draws the “power” of the herbs
into the oil, creating a fusion. It’s
different than using essential oils, the oil infusion process binds herbs to a “host”
oil where essential oils are oils derived entirely from the herb plant. To begin we will primarily use Soybean or
Apricot Kernel oil in our infusions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How are they
made?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Brown Barn
will use organic herbs that are either purchased from reliable USA growers or organically grow its own herbs in our greenhouse on our Wisconsin
farm. There are several different
approaches that can be used in creating an oil infusion but the main process involves
allowing herbs to “steep” in oil for a period of time. Once the oil has been infused it must be
carefully drained off the plant material, bottled and either sold directly as
oil or used in the making of our other products and soaps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjKU63PdhB8uXF-r4YXNvhsgSZ-efPlGURrLf55DZSvgqbPGlTQkOSSqpl4g2WEfATu4ghxWeWKyQL6ZYsWoxJ3TvKZJsmUCjY99CWmMBQ4C7rZCTXl7tIMXfycrMjJRaQWxDgdD29xoW/s1600/118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjKU63PdhB8uXF-r4YXNvhsgSZ-efPlGURrLf55DZSvgqbPGlTQkOSSqpl4g2WEfATu4ghxWeWKyQL6ZYsWoxJ3TvKZJsmUCjY99CWmMBQ4C7rZCTXl7tIMXfycrMjJRaQWxDgdD29xoW/s200/118.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calendula Flowers Steeping in oil during our trials.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJirc3ueLqzKVJ8uG7qvfyzIW7Ol94nKNu_xPYmQqtXbcwpeZTg5OWjM57gU8KwLl1xK63mmNuL-2fvag1dQK_H_QF09R7W0ppxWll-rJ6qrLPni7Lu6dh0fDRLl71-YVQDy4smJOYzWu/s1600/greenhosue+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJirc3ueLqzKVJ8uG7qvfyzIW7Ol94nKNu_xPYmQqtXbcwpeZTg5OWjM57gU8KwLl1xK63mmNuL-2fvag1dQK_H_QF09R7W0ppxWll-rJ6qrLPni7Lu6dh0fDRLl71-YVQDy4smJOYzWu/s320/greenhosue+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb Liners waiting to be potted up in our Greenhouse.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why is this
good to use?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Herbal oil
is a rich blend that brings to the body the therapeutic benefits of the chosen oil
and herbs. Brown Barn’s goal is to
eventually grow all of the herbs used in its oils on its own farm. We believe that each plant is the product of
its environment and being able to participate in the growing process including
selection of the soil, fertilizer and cultivar will allow us to develop unique and
more highly effective formulations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDywiaYzUn2_gOBXLEy5Qo2mboL8hFuCtIfzSk4ZOC75wOGpkcG9tZnwlhuMI2eMZV7tFEU6PzamiE9hnr_hYWjVUi_XPssR6r2ED5xlZizGfCdSo2OMDw5ZoCcVM596pvPfaeQ5gYbHw8/s1600/Organic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDywiaYzUn2_gOBXLEy5Qo2mboL8hFuCtIfzSk4ZOC75wOGpkcG9tZnwlhuMI2eMZV7tFEU6PzamiE9hnr_hYWjVUi_XPssR6r2ED5xlZizGfCdSo2OMDw5ZoCcVM596pvPfaeQ5gYbHw8/s200/Organic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What will
they be used in?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have been
using our own Trauma oil blend in our popular <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Rejuvenating-Beeswax-Massage-Bar-3901.htm" target="_blank">Rejuvenating Lotion Bar</a> for the past
year to great success. It was the
many customer testimonials about the powerful effects of this bar that have
resulted in our researching this process further and taking it to the next
level. Our new All Natural Spa line uses infused oil in several of its
products. This line will be introduced
soon. We also plan to incorporate the
oil into our soap bars and into a line of Mommy and Me products coming
soon. The oils will also be sold
individually for use as a massage oil, bath oil or body oil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We will soon
be posting these new items on our web-site as they become available. We hope you try them out and let us know what
you think! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Have a wonderful week. On Monday we will be launching our Mother's Day gift boxes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Chris Untiedt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Founder</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">The Brown Barn Company llc</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/">www.brownbarnbath.com</a></span></div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-46123119769671196952013-04-06T15:03:00.000-05:002013-04-06T15:03:50.977-05:00Changing<br />
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<i style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><i>- Winston Churchill</i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">If Winston
Churchill is correct in this quote then The Brown Barn Company has to be nearly
perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Since
opening our flagship store in Holcombe, Wisconsin in the summer of 2011, Brown
Barn has undergone nothing short of a metamorphosis as it grew from a
home-made, hand-made company into its more professional and larger shoes. This has been a journey of ups and downs,
successes and disappointments, gain and loss. I cannot count how many formulations, employee
names, label designs, product scents, marketing ideas and renditions of the
Brown Barn have passed across my desk this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">When Alyssa
(my business partner and daughter) and I sat down to sketch our initial vision
for the company we had specific goals in mind.
We wanted to be eco-friendly, to offer a safe haven for our customers, offer
a safe and uniquely fabulous product line, and to provide a calm and relaxing
workplace for ourselves and employees. We wanted to make a difference, to
educate, to share ideas. We wanted to
develop a company that would allow us to grow as individuals and would
positively enhance our lives, the lives of those around us and those of our
customers. We wanted to contribute at
home, in our community and to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">We opted to start out with our own retail stores.</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">One
thing we did not realize in starting retail stores was how very demanding they
are as a whole. Even our quietest location
requires constant vigilance to maintain the required cleanliness and “look”
that Brown Barn demands. Add to that the
hustle and bustle of employees and customer sales and a store becomes all-consuming
in and of itself, leaving little time for important product research and development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">In running
the stores we realized we have been pulled far from our first love and the very
reason we started this company – making great bath and body products. After a lot of reflection and analysis we
have come to the conclusion that the only effective way for us to build the
life we want, not only for ourselves but for our company, employees and products
is to downsize our retail stores and devote ourselves fully to product
development, Internet/web-site sales, national marketing and wholesaling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">In this way
we will be able to bring forward better and more interesting product lines; introduce
Brown Barn to many more locations faster and we’ll be able to reach the goals
we cherish – supporting ecology, providing funding donations to causes we
believe in and bringing nature to customers through our products.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">The challenge
now is how do we accomplish our hefty goals when we are so busy with the daily
running of retail stores? How do we
survive as a business without this growth?
How do we accomplish these goals without the cash flow of retail stores?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">After much
reflection we came to the following conclusions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- We must ramp back the company in order to
apply what we learned, make needed changes and grow our future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- We must
make changes that will allow us to move to the next level in terms of product
sophistication, offerings and marketing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- Our mental and physical health must be of high importance in order to allow us to focus and accomplish these goals. We must form a business environment that allows room for us to nurture ourselves so that we may give to others.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- We want to
bring the Brown Barn and Honest Balance product lines to people everywhere, not
just in a few select places. The Internet
and Wholesaling is the most efficient way to do this. We need to focus our energies on developing these
areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- The Retail
Stores are drawing all of our energies and focus far from our ideals and company
goals. While we absolutely LOVE chatting
with our customers, seeing their lovely faces and spending time in our adorable
stores, the stores have actually become a weight on the company, distracting us
from our goals. (A lovely distraction,
but a distraction all the same.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- In order
to provide much needed time for development we need to close our Steamboat
Springs, Colorado store but we will always continue to have our “outlet” store
at our “home” location in Holcombe, Wisconsin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- So our
customers will be able to purchase Brown Barn products closer to home, we will
work to develop wholesale relationships in areas throughout the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- Because
education is so important to our vision, this year our customers will be able
to enjoy a much larger and user friendly web-site with more information available. More time will be spent sharing information
with our customers thru our blogs, e-mail and social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">- We value
our farming heritage and feel we can only provide the very best products if we
grow them ourselves. An additional lab
will be added to Brown Barn at our “farm”.
Brown Barn will be back to growing its own herbs and making oil
infusions which in turn will be added to our products, making uniquely
beneficial formulas that can only be found in Brown Barn products.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">We
understand that some of you are accustomed to shopping at our stores and will
not be happy that your store has been closed. We hope you understand that
growth and change is necessary to us as a business. We thank you for trying us out, your input
has been invaluable to us. We consider
every customer a unique part of Brown Barn and hope you will continue to visit
our web-site and blogs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you for cheering us on and giving us the courage to continue to grow!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Christine Untiedt</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Founder</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">The Brown Barn Company llc</span></div>
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-45829204641914368002013-02-01T10:03:00.004-06:002013-02-01T10:09:02.627-06:00Shea Butter BasicsShea Butter is used in a variety of Brown Barn products and products made using Shea butter are often requested by our customers. But what is Shea Butter and why is it so popular?<br />
<br />
<b>What is it?</b> <br />
<br />
Shea Butter is made from the fat of the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Shea Butter is noted in ingredient lists by its botanical name: Butyrospermum Parkii. This is a great example of not following the adage of “only use body products whose names you can pronounce”. This is definitely one product you want to use! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB7IqoVGI3F7EdOp_2gPbmiWDgJoYUdeCbCMvuLNdZB61QzGtXWmwPedzIwylsdasAOvHU62W-1wECVm9-qXAcgrfHmLm-r3LGd5sTZdy2KfW4y_tZtvs5yMJMqB9dFd_aDBTA7TAG83f/s1600/shutterstock_125154458+(2).jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB7IqoVGI3F7EdOp_2gPbmiWDgJoYUdeCbCMvuLNdZB61QzGtXWmwPedzIwylsdasAOvHU62W-1wECVm9-qXAcgrfHmLm-r3LGd5sTZdy2KfW4y_tZtvs5yMJMqB9dFd_aDBTA7TAG83f/s200/shutterstock_125154458+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Why is it good to use? </b><br />
<br />
The traditional use of the butter is to reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars and stretch marks, and to ease a variety of skin irritations, such as psoriasis, eczema and sunburn. Shea butter possesses several fatty acids and plant sterols, namely oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that allow it to produce these amazing results. <br />
<br />
<b>Antioxidant Content </b><br />
<br />
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, as well as catechins, plant antioxidants also found in green tea. While it is unclear how well vitamins A and E in raw Shea butter are absorbed, there is evidence to suggest that cinnamic acid esters in Shea fat help to prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.<br />
<br />
<b>Other Uses </b><br />
<br />
Shea butter softens and conditions leather and wood, so musicians use it to improve the flexibility of leather tuning straps, and the pitch and timbre of animal skin drums and other percussion instruments. Africans use Shea butter in cooking. In other parts of the world, manufacturers add Shea butter to margarine.<br />
<br />
<b>Precautions </b><br />
<br />
If you have a known allergy to other tree nuts, you may experience a reaction to Shea butter. Consult your physician or allergist before using this product, if this is the case. <br />
<br />
<b>Brown Barn Products using Shea Butter: </b><br />
<br />
· Shea and Aloe body crème <br />
<br />
· Super Shea bar soap <br />
<br />
· Selected other bar soap <br />
<br />
· Lip Balms <br />
<br />
· Sugar Scrub <br />
<br />
· Massage Bars <br />
<br />
· Selected Facial Items<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
For a complete list go to our web-site at <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/">www.brownbarnbath.com</a> and “search” the word Shea. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's coming using Shea Butter? For Spring: Whipped Shea Butter body butters with added botanical extracts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great weekend! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Christine Untiedt</div>
<div>
Founder</div>
<div>
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-28627178023238888202013-01-16T12:39:00.000-06:002013-01-16T12:42:31.357-06:00Sugar Scrubs 101<div>
Our <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Sugar-Scrubs_c15.htm" target="_blank">Brown Barn Sugar Scrubs</a> have become one of our most popular selling items. Winter or Summer, these scrubs help dry skin become fresh and new again but did you know there are a host of other benefits gained when using a Sugar Scrub?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmw0AZGfA5JDC2W_KNgI4iwMM3CdMvtSBttURzZ9oY2lxz1DksX7Or_DJIenGmSgBehvy2x7A-gjTS1Jg2d41B7SQ8N2iE0E2NYUETvTstq7vmo0Rul-PdVzzmcbhJREbihV_lcfa31-m/s1600/Sugar+Scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmw0AZGfA5JDC2W_KNgI4iwMM3CdMvtSBttURzZ9oY2lxz1DksX7Or_DJIenGmSgBehvy2x7A-gjTS1Jg2d41B7SQ8N2iE0E2NYUETvTstq7vmo0Rul-PdVzzmcbhJREbihV_lcfa31-m/s200/Sugar+Scrub.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li> Sugar scrubs are user-friendly for all skin types because they leave no side effects in their wake. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> They work wonders in preventing skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis because they hydrate skin so effectively. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Sugar scrubs are a great way to fight cellulite in the body.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Sugar scrubs can be used on your face are used not only for skin exfoliation, but
also for cleansing and massaging it. The advantage of which is that they
do not clog the pores and are easily absorbed into the skin. Using a
sugar scrub on the face will leave it smooth and healthy and will
prevent the onset of acne.We recommend using the Brown Barn sugar scrubs that contain essential oils rather than fragrance oil for facial applications.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
They are packed with the goodness of alpha-hydroxy which is essential for glowing skin.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Repeated use of sugar scrubs will help one to have healthier, glowing, uniformly textured and colored skin.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> They are a much better choice than salt scrubs because they aren't as harsh as salt scrubs and are much smoother than them.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Sugar scrubs can be used by children without any side effects.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Sugar scrub can be used to circulate and stimulate the lymph nodes. Always apply in circular motions from fingers and toes toward the heart to stimulate circulation.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Everyday use will also help to formulate a protective layer for the
skin and prevent areas like the knees, elbow, etc. from becoming dark.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Sugar scrubs can be used on the lips as well. Sugar scrubs work
wonders for lips because they help in preventing chapped lips and skin.
If one already has chapped lips, a single or probably two uses of sugar
scrubs can soften the skin. Again, we recommend using Sugar Scrubs containing essential oil rather than fragrance oil for this application.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Sugar scrubs also help to absorb the oils and dirt from the skin and balance the natural oils.</li>
</ul>
Lastly, Sugar Scrubs just feel ooooh so goooood. The Brown Barn Sugar Scrubs are "dry scrubs" meaning that we use solid oils rather than liquid oils in our scrubs. This helps to avoid leaking and the dreaded accidental tipping of the jar oil loss we've all experience in our tub! Look for expanded and new blends and scents in this line with our Spring scents and available by popular demand on-line and in our Steamboat store today is Black Raspberry Vanilla with added seeds.<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Sugar-Scrubs_c15.htm" target="_blank">our web-site</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
Have a super scrubby day!<br />
<br />
Chris Untiedt<br />
Founder<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-66178082818214802762012-12-09T21:12:00.002-06:002012-12-09T21:26:02.630-06:008 Ways to Save at The Brown Barn Company<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-jlHhW2N5P66tJ8ItIT2-02N4qbdSfHaffxyzZhtMp8ngdOKsUI9CscgGKSjZCnapTx83R9rnmJLGjP3-OuhPussQwMPw5Mz1LISk163iucUQSH59EEC9dLhyxDf4BSCUOZIrQgMqM8Z/s1600/save.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-jlHhW2N5P66tJ8ItIT2-02N4qbdSfHaffxyzZhtMp8ngdOKsUI9CscgGKSjZCnapTx83R9rnmJLGjP3-OuhPussQwMPw5Mz1LISk163iucUQSH59EEC9dLhyxDf4BSCUOZIrQgMqM8Z/s320/save.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am often surprised at how few people take advantage of the many ways there are to save at The Brown Barn Company. Read up here so you don't miss out!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Like us
on Facebook! This is the easiest and
most effective way to get an immediate notice on sales and free shipping. We often offer “Facebook Code Word” sales
that you can use at check-out or on-line to get discounts.
(And we have the funnest Facebook group EVER!) Did you know you can get a Facebook code word right now for 25% off your in-store purchase or 10% off a web-site purchase thru the 14th? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrownBarnBath">https://www.facebook.com/BrownBarnBath</a></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />2. Shop the Item of the Week. Each week we offer one selected product or
line for savings. Watch for your favorite
products and stock up when we offer these items on sale. <br /><br />3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Coupons – Use your coupons in conjunction with
Item of the Week for an even bigger savings or use anytime for savings on the
items you want.<br /><br />4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Ask to be placed on our e-mail list. Even if you already like us on Facebook it is
worth your while to also be on our E-mail list so you can receive even more
Brown Barn coupons and specials. We are
just beginning to get in the habit of sending weekly e-mail notices and specials
out and hope to get better at this over the next couple months.<br /><br />5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Free Shipping – Here is a Brown Barn secret – we
offer Free Shipping for all purchases for a few days approximately every 6
weeks! We ALWAYS offer free shipping on
orders of $50 or more. Personally, I
find this the best way to shop Brown Barn for those items your local store
tends to run out of such as facial products and the most popular soap scents. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/">http://www.brownbarnbath.com</a><br /><br />6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Traveling to Steamboat Springs, CO from Wisconsin or
from Colorado to Holcombe, Wisconsin?
Ask for the travel coupon<i><b> </b></i>at your local store or by e-mailing me at <a href="mailto:thebrownbarn@gmail.com">thebrownbarn@gmail.com</a>. You
can get 30% off by visiting one of our stores!<br /><br />7.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>If you are not fussy about seasonal scents, shop
the discount area of your local store.
We often offer sales on items that are running on short date or
scent<span style="font-size: large;">s that</span> don’t match the season (such as Lilac in December).<br /><br />8.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Save Brown Barn Bucks – Brown Barn Bucks are
handed out ($1 for every $10 spent) at key times in the year. They work just like cash for up to 70% off
purchases in the months of March and October.
This helps you as new items are often introduced then and helps us as
those are slower times of the year for Brown Barn.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Shopping! Don't forget to take time to relax and enjoy the season.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Chris Untiedt</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Founder, The Brown Barn Company llc<br /><br /> </span></span><br />
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The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-83740828520083076822012-12-05T18:53:00.002-06:002014-08-04T11:19:21.206-05:00A Good Night's Sleep with Lavender<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I have trouble sleeping. It doesn’t seem to be linked to stress or
problems; happy, sad, it doesn’t matter.
Sometimes I just can’t sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have Fibromyalgia so sleep is very important to me. A few bad nights can trigger painful episodes
of tense muscles and even muscle tics.
When I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia my doctor gave me powerful
sleep aides that left me groggy all day.
This was when I realized the power of Lavender as a sleep aide. <span style="font-size: small;">Lavender has been used for centuries to speed relaxation and <span style="font-size: small;">induce rest<span style="font-size: small;">ful sleep.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If I were a more creative person I would write an ode to
Lavender. I love Lavender for what it brings to us as humans, it is my best friend in the plan<span style="font-size: small;">t world.</span> Alas, I am not creative enough to write an ode so you
are stuck with simply my version of what I consider to be the best, sure-fire
(at least for me!) sleep inducing routine I can come up with. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, fo<span style="font-size: small;">r this routine to work you must <span style="font-size: small;">be sure</span></span></span> to use Lavender Essential Oil, not
Lavender Fragrance Oil. Check your product labels to make sure the ingredient listed <span style="font-size: small;">is not fragran<span style="font-size: small;">ce oil.</span></span> Only essential
oil will give you the benefits of the actual plant DNA which will work with
your body to create a therapeutic result.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe what makes this routine fail safe for me is that the lavender is layered <span style="font-size: small;">through<span style="font-size: small;">out <span style="font-size: small;">and that</span> it <span style="font-size: small;">is a ritual - first this, then that<span style="font-size: small;"> - so <span style="font-size: small;">that I have train<span style="font-size: small;">ed my<span style="font-size: small;">self to associate this routine with sleep<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I need to a<span style="font-size: small;">dd a disclaimer here as well. I have been exposed to <span style="font-size: small;">lavender mo<span style="font-size: small;">st of my life<span style="font-size: small;"> and never have had an a<span style="font-size: small;">dverse reaction. Before trying any routine this intense you <span style="font-size: small;">should test the waters by using a combination of a few of the<span style="font-size: small;">se products at a time before diving in all the way<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I am desperate for a good night’s sleep I….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Draw a hot bath. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sometimes I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">o</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">pt</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">for some </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Candle-5021.htm?categoryId=-1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender scented soy candles </a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">or a beeswax candle to
create a positive atmosphere. Put on quiet relaxing music or grab a
relaxing novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dry brush myself to stimulate my skin and remove
dead skin cells (dry brushes are available in our stores or other quality bath
shops). You can call us at 715-595-4570 to inquire about telephone ordering a dry brush from Brown Barn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I drop a </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Bath-Bomb-Medium-5223.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender Essential Oil bath bomb</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> into
the bath water. Sometimes I even include some </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Flower-Buds-Scented-Bath-Salts-0392.htm?categoryId=-1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">La</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">vender infused bath salts.</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I climb into the tub, being careful not to slip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">After soaking for a few minutes I wash myself
with any of the following: </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Flowers-Bar-Soap-132300.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender essential oil based bar soap</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">, Lavender
Essential Oil foaming bath butter, or Lavender Essential Oil liquid body wash
(my personal favorite).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Then I use our famous </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Fields-Sugar-Scrub-3301.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender essential oil sugar scrub</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> or the </span><a href="http://www.brownburl.com/soften/forest" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Brown Burl White Pines Sugar Scrub</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">. I am careful to scrub in
circular motion from my outer extremities toward my heart to stimulate
circulation. I scrub until all of the sugar has dissolved so as not to waste a
drop. Our sugar scrubs start out dry but
boy when they hit water watch out, they are just packed with fabulous oil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I soak some more, maybe adding a little more hot
water to the tub. Read, relax, close my eyes. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">I m<span style="font-size: small;">ight <span style="font-size: small;">choose</span> to use my <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Eye-Pillow-1604.htm" target="_blank">La</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Eye-Pillow-1604.htm" target="_blank">vender eye <span style="font-size: small;">pillow</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">When I exit the tub I am VERY CAREFUL as there
is a lot of oil in that tub after using all these great Brown Barn products.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I pat dry (never rub – you don’t want to remove
all that great oil </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">you just invested in</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I use either the </span><a href="http://brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-All-Natural-Hand-Body-Lotion-113501300.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Brown Barn Lavender Body Lotion</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> or any of the </span><a href="http://www.brownburl.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Brown Burl White Pines line</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> liberally even though I’m already covered in oil from the bath. My purpose now is to layer on more Lavender essential oil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I then get in my pj’s and relax a little longer
by watching tv or reading until the oil has sunk fully into my skin. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">At this time I heat and use my <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Neck-Pillow-7020.htm" target="_blank">Lavender infused neck pillow</a>. If I really want to go <span style="font-size: small;">all out with my the<span style="font-size: small;">me I give myself a mini-facial using my <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Lime-Clay-Facial-Mask-1702.htm?categoryId=-1" target="_blank">Lavender <span style="font-size: small;">& Lime clay facial mask.</span></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">When I’m ready for bed I spritz my pillow and
bedroom with </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Peaceful-Sleep-Aromatherapy-Mist-8050.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender Peaceful Sleep Pillow Mist</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">. I also add another layer of lotion or salve to my hands so I can breathe in the lavender scent while I sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I then use either the Brown Barn </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Aromatherapy-Relief-9000.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender Aromatherapy Roll-on</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> or </span><a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Lavender-Salve-5101.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Lavender salve</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> around my nostrils so I am inhaling luscious Lavender
as I drift off to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I turn on my electric blanket so my bed is warm
when I enter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I drift off to peaceful sleep – medication free!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wishing you a great night</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">'s rest...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chris Untiedt, Owner, The Brown Barn Company<span style="font-size: small;"> llc</span></span></div>
The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-69940939298580271912012-11-01T14:00:00.001-05:002012-11-01T14:09:58.871-05:00Brown Barn Lotion 101With the coming of winter I find myself pondering my skin, my hair, my overall self-care routine. There is something about the turning of the seasons that turns my mind inward. I suppose it might be the flaky skin, fly-away hair and itchy scalp that comes with turning on the heating system in the house!<br />
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There are many different lotions available from not only Brown Barn but other fine companies. It can be confusing to the consumer when so many options exist! What follows is a primer on lotion - type, what it's good for and how to best use it.<br />
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From lightest type of lotion to heaviest:<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Body-Lotion_c32.htm" target="_blank">Hand and Body Lotion</a> - At Brown Barn this is our lightest lotion option. We recently underwent a reformulation of our lotion line in an effort to provide a better, more long-lived lotion. This type of lotion is light enough to use repeatedly throughout the day but still effective as your primary lotion. Brown Barn offers liquid lotions in a wide range of scents, ingredients and levels of "natural ingredients". The base of our lotions are all natural however our customers love many of the synthetic fragrance oils available. We offer this lotion in unscented, scented with essential oils (making the lotion all natural) and scented with fragrance oil (making this lotion nearly natural).<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Honest-Balance-Organics_c34.htm" target="_blank">Body Oil</a> - Honest Balance Body Oil is an all natural, organic body oil infused with organic essential oils. It is produced by our sister company, Honest Balance Organics. Body oils are generally more expensive than Body Lotion but they are, in the end, a much better deal! They are straight oils with no additives or fillers. Body oils are best used when stepping from the tub and applied to wet skin. They can also be used by pouring a little oil directly into your warm bath water. A little goes a very long way, resulting in much longer usage per bottle. Honest Balance Organics ingredients are known for their high quality, organic certification and their commitment to using Fair Trade ingredients whenever possible. You cannot find a higher quality oil on the market at a better price! <br />
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2. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Body-Creme-and-Body-Butter_c10.htm" target="_blank">Body Cremes and Body Butters</a> - Body Cremes and Body Butters are thicker than liquid lotion, providing for more oils per square inch of skin than lighter lotions. Often these lotions are made with more expensive, more effective ingredients. This results in deeper skin hydration. Depending on skin needs, some clients may find these lotions to be too heavy for repeated use throughout the day. For this reason we recommend Cremes and Lotions be used morning and night. <br />
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3. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Salves_c14.htm" target="_blank">Salves</a> - Brown Barn salves are all natural and quite thick. They often use beeswax or other forms of wax to make them semi-solid. Salves are great for problem spots such as elbows and knees or hands. Their ingredients will dictate which salve will best fit your needs. At Brown Barn we enjoy our Lavender Salve as a perfume as well as skin conditioner.<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.brownbarnbath.com/Massage-Bars-with-Beeswax_c13.htm" target="_blank">Massage Bars</a> - At Brown Barn, massage bars are a best seller! These are solid bars that transport oils to the skin when rubbed on the skin. The warmth of the body causes the bar to melt slightly as it spreads the oils over the skin. Massage bars are made with beeswax, just like salves, but massage bars are so solid you can pick up the entire bar. The beeswax lays on top of the skin after the bar's oils sink in resulting in a barrier against the elements. We love the massage bars for the beautiful finish it leaves on skin and "Rejuvinating" bar is made with herb infused oils and essential oils reputed to relieve pain and assist in healing. Our massage bars are offered in many all natural scents and formulations along with a couple that are made using synthetic fragrance oil resulting in nearly natural formulation.<br />
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So what do I use from this list? <br />
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1. I use Body Oil on my damp skin when I get out of the bathtub (yes, even on the nights I use a bath bomb!)<br />
2. I use Body Creme or Body butter each morning and each night.<br />
3. I use Liquid Hand/Body Lotion throughout the day. We love it by the bathroom and kitchen sinks so we can apply with a little water.<br />
4. I use salves for those pesky dry spots.<br />
5. I use a massage bar when my skin is crying for more than lotion. We keep a massage bar in each vehicle for my husband, who's hands are often cracked and battle-worn. I love the massage bar if I'm wearing short sleeves so my skin looks finished and "ready for public viewing". <br />
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What's next on our formulating agenda? A massage bar that can be used by skiers and other winter sports people who's faces suffer from wind-burn and over-exposure. We do not recommend using beeswax on the face as it could clog pores so we are looking for a binding substitute. <br />
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Whether you use lotion once a day, five times a day or once a month your skin will thank you for taking the time to apply helpful oils. If you find yourself confused about what lotion product is best for your skin type be sure to ask any of our helpful sales associates. They have all used these lotions themselves and can answer your questions from first-hand experience!<br />
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Have a great week!<br />
<br />
Chris Untiedt<br />
Owner<br />
The Brown Barn Company llc<br />
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<br />The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-56009934591627144292012-05-19T07:43:00.000-05:002012-05-19T09:11:25.902-05:00A good excuse to treat your body luxuriously.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>This week is a "Double Blog" weekend. Today, Alyssa Untiedt, owner of Honest Balance writes about training for the <a href="http://toughmudder.com/" target="_blank">Tough Mudder Marathon</a>. Honest Balance is the Brown Barn's sister company; manufacturing organic, all-natural bath and body products in Holcombe, WI. Alyssa also happens to be my daughter. When she said she'd be participating in a marathon that involves barbed wire, guantlets of fire and running thru live electrical wires I thought she'd never really do it but right now she is checking into the event and having her contestant numbers written across her forehead with thousands of other participants in Somerset, Wisconsin. Here Alyssa writes about training for the Tough Mudder. Tomorrow, we wil post a blog including pictures and video clips from the Holcombe store staff, who participated in last weekend's Flater's Triathlon. At a future date, Alyssa and her team will write about participating in the actual Tough Mudder event. - Chris</em></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Hhf47n7kL-NV644sAfW4dR9SJl_Af3f_53g0KzqkB-zF-6o5KmnLP9UOV99oAbREZcI8x43RzUrEB8xmrl5uRytZ2hnueqYhaQ3Qy89bvqF_lsJmlkc3OGKgdXOEt6r_A9mZdGBfZO2v/s1600/Alyssa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Hhf47n7kL-NV644sAfW4dR9SJl_Af3f_53g0KzqkB-zF-6o5KmnLP9UOV99oAbREZcI8x43RzUrEB8xmrl5uRytZ2hnueqYhaQ3Qy89bvqF_lsJmlkc3OGKgdXOEt6r_A9mZdGBfZO2v/s320/Alyssa+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All registered and ready to dominate, Alyssa Untiedt at Tough Mudder!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Goood-mooorniiing, Goood-mooorniiing…” chimes my cell phone
before I tap ‘dismiss.’ It’s 5:30 a.m. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
happily hop out of bed and head for the closet to pull on some stretchy pants
and a sports bra. Opening the curtains to a still-dim sky, I trill ‘Good-morning
ladies!’ to the colorful row of orchids adorning the windowsill and then head to
the kitchen for a lemon water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I
leave hook a pull-up bar to the bedroom doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I sip my water, I punch on the laptop sitting on the kitchen
counter and set some high-energy music playing as I check the weather and the
news. It’s Thursday so I’m going to do a strength workout. ‘Eye of the Tiger’
plays followed by Enur as I haul a couple kitchen chairs, free weights, a
yoga mat, a clock and 4 worn sheets of paper containing my workout for the
morning into the living room. Then a series of push-ups, lunges, squats, dips, pull-ups, and planks
commences until about a half hour later, panting and sweating, I’ve reached the
last exercise on my list and I go to shower and start my work day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OnqvfEnZixX5SOzPtMZRwJRIMdJ7cDdBBlq4C0hjUvAMoBsuITogJUhSU7iD3jSHNmE-rMTl6zlc7D29M5edzWWYTj1E8YHxcYeaQSAGWGi7PmXORA2mm0DLGBbRIaIO8y-mgRKWRKF2/s1600/TM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OnqvfEnZixX5SOzPtMZRwJRIMdJ7cDdBBlq4C0hjUvAMoBsuITogJUhSU7iD3jSHNmE-rMTl6zlc7D29M5edzWWYTj1E8YHxcYeaQSAGWGi7PmXORA2mm0DLGBbRIaIO8y-mgRKWRKF2/s320/TM1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it’s not a Tuesday or Thursday, I run the other three
weekdays, as many miles as my mood will allow me to eke out. I have never been
much of a runner (I’ve been an avid swimmer all my life), though it’s not
without trying. Generally once a year I am overcome with an urge to sprint and
frolic with the same vibrancy of the spring greens blooming and bursting from a
warming soil. Unfortunately my legs, even in their most toned and youthful
form, exude the daintiness of an oak stump and so does my gait. Eventually all
this enthusiastic thumping and stomping about the trails begins to resemble a
hobble as my knees protest this unnatural activity, and I am forced to
dejectedly abandon my frolic and take to swimming again.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKAh4QN6G6fy47f9eZVoI7in44_5rdu3kAG-kkOlNm7SzwLd-7Xgq5J2SQvA0zL9KCTugAe3lINBNnGQFUgsfwWa_ICZO2_arGrW5MpDmI8f8goB8SDVCrWSWp_XngIMIn41P_kSeEggz/s1600/tm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKAh4QN6G6fy47f9eZVoI7in44_5rdu3kAG-kkOlNm7SzwLd-7Xgq5J2SQvA0zL9KCTugAe3lINBNnGQFUgsfwWa_ICZO2_arGrW5MpDmI8f8goB8SDVCrWSWp_XngIMIn41P_kSeEggz/s200/tm3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How does it come that this ungainly girl is suddenly running
three mornings of the weekdays? Why would any sane (fingers crossed…) 24 year
old willingly subject herself to morning hours so incompatible with the
lifestyle of reasonably sociable young woman? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because today this woman is doing the TOUGH MUDDER!!! The <span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tough Mudder is a hardcore 12 mile
obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces to test your all around
strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative
courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $2 million
dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier
adventure challenge series in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doesn’t
that sound like fun??? As a born and raised country girl, the images of
mud-caked past contestants stir up fond memories spent along a beloved snowmelt
swollen creek, dashing up and down the banks to chase the stick I tossed in to
race against my brother’s on the opposite bank. Well-worn black Sorels sank
deep into muddy banks while brambles grabbed my ankles, sending me to my knees
into freezing puddles of ice water. But who can feel that when there’s the
thrill of a stick race to keep your blood pumping? (It occurs to me now I
skipped more than one track practice to do this very thing…I’m kind of
regretting that now. Life is so ironic…) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
imagined the Tough Mudder can’t be too much unlike that, and that it’s the
perfect motivation for me to get in shape, so I went ahead and signed up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of my brother to race this time, I’m
doing the course with one of my best friends, Lisa, a lanky, giggly, athletic
swimmer I met and shared a house with in college. We both agreed to do this together
last December and have been trying to mold our swimmer’s legs into running legs
ever since. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21cKuFmkaTpfiOTiNl8QDa6N7goV3KsXh_XkImuvi5bxlGF5iTX5V0TbNN7t99i-GBH-RAksPtjGlLwMnQMrLkG1wOi0XZnlcflPtBVXpfUw_G1Uo9WcCIT-oOFWpiQZUQO-OaruIycZn/s1600/tm4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21cKuFmkaTpfiOTiNl8QDa6N7goV3KsXh_XkImuvi5bxlGF5iTX5V0TbNN7t99i-GBH-RAksPtjGlLwMnQMrLkG1wOi0XZnlcflPtBVXpfUw_G1Uo9WcCIT-oOFWpiQZUQO-OaruIycZn/s200/tm4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About
five months later, I (never having run more than a mile straight in my life)
can now run five miles slooowly, but with no stops, and Lisa can do even more.
This wasn’t achieved without a certain degree of pain however…legs used to a
soft, aqueous terrain find pavement rather jarring. Very tight calves led to a
sore foot which took a few weeks to heal in December. A stubborn blister
acquired while snowshoeing in March plagues me still today. Not to mention lots
and lots of sore, stiff muscles! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">None
of this was unbearable, however, much thanks to the plentiful mud and salt
baths, essential oil blends, analgesic and soothing body oils, and currently an
endless deluge of lavender oil smoothed over that blister. My job has perks, to
say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Training
for the Tough Mudder has certainly helped me in my quest to learn how to better
take care of myself (and in doing so, caring for others too). A relaxing bath
becomes a greater priority when I have sore muscles to remind me all day long
that they need it. Regular use of quality body oils and self-massage becomes
even more important when my circulation and vein health is directly involved in
my short-term goals. This in turn reminds me of my long term goals of holistic
health and wellness, and keeps me on my path of happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38b6Q8IGqeLafkhKmE86Q2j2kkZ6PM11VDlTc5ERQbPW3eoGmTEZ_Sq2kK04P8YtAwh1X0KUc8cEeSWmfzJNvalz-tS_v3ZtCS6yZ6HW-JoSrHEc3SnmS1GV5Z3M_m4exxzokqCaEGAPO/s1600/Alyssa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38b6Q8IGqeLafkhKmE86Q2j2kkZ6PM11VDlTc5ERQbPW3eoGmTEZ_Sq2kK04P8YtAwh1X0KUc8cEeSWmfzJNvalz-tS_v3ZtCS6yZ6HW-JoSrHEc3SnmS1GV5Z3M_m4exxzokqCaEGAPO/s320/Alyssa+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Alyssa Untiedt, Owner, Honest Balance llc</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Starting
time: 9:20am Saturday, May 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. Link: <a href="http://www.toughmudder.com/">http://www.toughmudder.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[I managed to avoid sore knees…I attribute
this to my conversion to minimalist/barefoot running. link: </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running#Barefoot-inspired_footwear"><span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running#Barefoot-inspired_footwear</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-44588208785087532182012-05-13T09:21:00.001-05:002012-05-13T09:22:21.337-05:00The Mother's Day Blog<em>I asked my Mother, Dolores Giencke, to write our first Mother's Day blog. When I asked her to write, Mom said, "What will I write about?" My response, "Whatever you want." Her blog is presented here as it was written; we have not edited it. My Mom is 80 years old and amazing. She worked for 25 years as a Special Education aide with intellectually challenged children in the Waukesha, WI school district. Then another 20 years as an infant care-taker at the Tender Learning Center in Ladysmith, WI; where she retired at the age of 80. Now Mom, fit as a fiddle and sharp as a pin, is part of our Brown Barn team. We all love her dearly....</em><br />
<br />
The Mother's Day Blog by Dolores Giencke:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEl9rdHSp3HBXjm_Z1dqo6UKimiA3G1dLSTWoNElBR_oi2ERt26bFCsSreLBnLC-ee_41oGZK3pPvp9tL1jBNoaerLfxeBcpBhikAchCbLHcJXvqB5CLLVO1Sp5mxzyT1FTNLZliXVvWw/s1600/MD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEl9rdHSp3HBXjm_Z1dqo6UKimiA3G1dLSTWoNElBR_oi2ERt26bFCsSreLBnLC-ee_41oGZK3pPvp9tL1jBNoaerLfxeBcpBhikAchCbLHcJXvqB5CLLVO1Sp5mxzyT1FTNLZliXVvWw/s400/MD1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself and Chris, 1967. I made these dresses for us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi, I am Dolores, Chris’s mom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you read this please keep in mind that I am
eighty years old and have never written a blog before, so bear with me. First,
I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to each and every one of you. I am a mother of
three boys and one girl. Yes, Chris has three older brothers who at times have
tormented her. The one thing I instilled in my children was that in their lives
they could do anything they wanted to. I like to think that was a spark of
self-confidence that made them all successful. But this blog is about the Brown
Barn. The Brown Barn amazes me and I love it! I have many stories I can tell
and today I wish to write about how in my eyes the Brown Barn was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Chris was thirteen years old she came to me and said
she wanted to paint a mural on her bedroom wall. At that time we lived on the
family farm that had several houses and four generations living there. In fact
Chris’ dad grew up in this house and it was a hundred years old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEVaZipbAFEQWl6V2Q60PkaTg3axjn51b29cH23gG3w8D6rK5t2CH8D8NJtgql6mTf2ywt0z-uvY39OCnI1IXI7NHe0Uoqt-iOwNgAenFmIiQl7HzqSRCiCp1Om2FPvgsg6fNemgf6xs5/s1600/MDDad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEVaZipbAFEQWl6V2Q60PkaTg3axjn51b29cH23gG3w8D6rK5t2CH8D8NJtgql6mTf2ywt0z-uvY39OCnI1IXI7NHe0Uoqt-iOwNgAenFmIiQl7HzqSRCiCp1Om2FPvgsg6fNemgf6xs5/s400/MDDad.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old farmhouse in the background, my husband Bob (obviously much younger) in front making snowmen as a boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Chris asked me to paint I thought, oh well, we can
always paint over it again, so I said yes. Chris’s grandmother, who also lived
on this farm, was not happy about this painting and told her “The next time you
want to do something you ask your father.” But Chris and I went and bought all
the paints; red, blue, lots of green, yellow, purple, orange and Chris took her
brush and happily went to work. Free hand, she painted a life size Holly Hobby
in a greenhouse on this huge wall. It was filled with green plants and colorful
flowers. When she finished she said “It is good.” And we kept it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the years passed and Chris grew up and was married her
husband found a little farm with a greenhouse and a Brown Barn, and they bought
it. Chris was very delighted as now she had her very own greenhouse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7_cBO_ZsBXz5Bc0IUyR8sTyHWHi9V43qzacw3SWq1cSUIti8mZdUIfMa9A6ERg_OCmHWP6DZ_qQ4OUGETx8SZa3fyCXIR_Pj_f1hk5AG0Ffd4VObR2hvPyclJGYTt_e4N7rZY5vH0ELM/s1600/MD3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7_cBO_ZsBXz5Bc0IUyR8sTyHWHi9V43qzacw3SWq1cSUIti8mZdUIfMa9A6ERg_OCmHWP6DZ_qQ4OUGETx8SZa3fyCXIR_Pj_f1hk5AG0Ffd4VObR2hvPyclJGYTt_e4N7rZY5vH0ELM/s320/MD3.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greenhouse, in its first year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She worked her little heart out growing beautiful flowers
and plants and had her own little business. It was just like her Holly Hobby
greenhouse. At that time Chris lived in Abbotsford, WI and I lived in Holcombe,
WI so I didn’t get to see her every day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day when she was at my house, in fact it was just a year
ago, we were sitting at my kitchen table having coffee and she said to me, “I
want to open a shop with handmade soaps in Holcombe.” My mouth dropped open from
sheer surprise. I knew she had been (what I thought was fooling around) with
soaps, because she would give me soaps or lotions that she made and she would
say “Try this and tell me what you think.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One time she gave me a coffee scrub. It smelled so good and I couldn’t wait to try it. That
night I took a bath with it and when I finished my tub was filled with coffee
grounds. What a mess, it’s a good thing her dad didn’t see that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told her how awful it was she said “Oh
good, then I won’t try it in my tub. Ha Ha Ha.” Around that same time Alyssa
(Chris’s daughter and now the owner of Honest Balance Organics) gave me a
healing bar that she made and said, “Grandma this is for your arthritis in your
hands.” For six months I rubbed that healing bar into my fingers every night. I
couldn’t believe it but my joints were much better. I guess those healing oils
soak into your skin and deeply heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was almost two years ago and my fingers are seventy-five percent
better today. I know the healing bar did it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So yes, I didn’t know how hard they were experimenting,
working, searching and schooling to make these luxurious, healthy, full of
these good oil products for us to have. And that’s where Brown Barn had its
beginning. It will be one year this June 2012 that Chris opened that shop in
Holcombe and she looked at it and said “It is good.” and she kept it. Be sure
and stop at the Brown Barn Bath Company and see how good it is. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVmvybTngh2ssPaRb7oT5Cp3ez8ayAgv1lw9UYucAICfyQceYfFF3vfkq79-ZRxm04Q_a02NRJqjg-MRYaU8H27Gh2W9vicIkbZal2ktWeWWbEA96Wmoo4M_1ydVGGR_4ZQp0hkpxZ5Et/s1600/MD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVmvybTngh2ssPaRb7oT5Cp3ez8ayAgv1lw9UYucAICfyQceYfFF3vfkq79-ZRxm04Q_a02NRJqjg-MRYaU8H27Gh2W9vicIkbZal2ktWeWWbEA96Wmoo4M_1ydVGGR_4ZQp0hkpxZ5Et/s200/MD2.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. This is for Chris from me for Mother’s Day Chris! While
I am here I want to say that I have loved you every day and when the end of my
time on Earth has come, the privilege was mine to be your mom. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><strong><em>The Brown Barn Family wishes each of you a </em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Happy and Love Filled Mother's Day!</em></strong></div>The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577622445409578910.post-11020938472718730502012-04-30T19:35:00.003-05:002012-04-30T19:35:58.169-05:00Introducing Kathy Goltz, our New Textiles Expert!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Kathy
Goltz and I am the textile manager at The Brown Barn Bath Company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my title implies, I sew…. and sew…. and
sew….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make the eye pillows, neck
pillows, and keyboard and mouse wrist rests that you may have noticed in our
stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been sewing ever since I was a kid, making Barbie doll
clothes out of the scraps from my Mom’s projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in 3<sup>rd</sup> grade, Santa
brought me my very first sewing machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It used glue instead of thread, and didn’t really work very well at all,
but I was happy that I could now make something besides ponchos for
Barbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, I have made many
quilts, with baby quilts being my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like to specially design each one to suit the family and their nursery
theme. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prior to coming to work at The Brown Barn, I was unemployed
for 1 year, 7 months, and 15 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Needless to say, I was super excited to finally get a job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I soon realized I really don’t have to
“work”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confucius said, “Choose a job
you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that job chose me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel truly blessed to be able to play in
my craft room all day, without constantly being interrupted by, “Mom…. Mom…
MOM!!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my free time, I enjoy drawing, photography, and painting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I particularly enjoy oil painting, and I have even sold a few of my works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span> </span>I volunteer at our local high school, as the
artistic director for the annual theater group’s play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paint the sets, design props, and make some
of the costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even got me on
stage last year (I was a bottle in Alice in Wonderland).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></v:shapetype></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy on left, in the brown bottle!</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When researching the products I would be sewing here, I found
that OSHA suggests using a wrist rest “to maintain straight wrist postures and
to minimize contact stress during typing and mousing tasks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say that your hands should move freely
and be elevated above the wrist/palm rest while typing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When resting, the pad should contact the heel
or palm of your hand, not your wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been working on finding new, fun materials for our wrist rests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recently found some animal prints that I
just adore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can now find zebra,
giraffe, and leopard fur, along with a snakeskin look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, you will still see the fancy
brocade silky fabrics in this line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have also been re-designing our neck pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve made them a bit larger and a lot
heavier, each weighing four pounds now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These therapeutic neck pillows help relieve shoulder strain associated
with tension and stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be
heated in the microwave, releasing the relaxing aroma of lavender, while
warming your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also can be put
in the freezer to help cool you down on those hot summer days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our Eye Pillows are a sensory relaxation tool used for easing stress and tension, while alowing you to rest and recharge, sleep or meditate deeply. Filled with flax, and available in lavender, the Eye Pillow applies gentle acupressure to tired eyes and facial muscles, while the aromatherapy induces an aura of comfort and calm. The luxurious fabric is cool to the touch, allowing the Eye Pillow to drape and conform to the contours of your face, providing welcome relief for headaches, sleeping difficulties, stress or eye puffiness.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJj0YmE0Nl89yAMhGFvGOyKU87fZ0wiuj4QhA55B2ShMlq0rMSgfEDj1EfCbl2cHxvN2ZoAKx9EAXct4LmqqFLFvkOiwXii5fhw5GN9cM3iy-2KUB1T7ktGj-a55Hv0xwXouu4Om2V9lm/s1600/Kathy+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJj0YmE0Nl89yAMhGFvGOyKU87fZ0wiuj4QhA55B2ShMlq0rMSgfEDj1EfCbl2cHxvN2ZoAKx9EAXct4LmqqFLFvkOiwXii5fhw5GN9cM3iy-2KUB1T7ktGj-a55Hv0xwXouu4Om2V9lm/s320/Kathy+blog+2.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy designed and made this beautiful quilt, which replicates the original Brown Barn!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is one of the Brown Barn quilts I made. You will soon see these in our stores, where they will be available for sale. Also in the works are smaller, hand-made boudior pillows, which will combine my artisitc ability with the sewing prowess of Judy Talbot. We will also be collaborating on larger art pillows, which are planned to be in our stores this year! </span><br />
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<br /></div>The Brown Barn Bath Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037062342464770454noreply@blogger.com0