Creation Sunday - Lemon Verbena Part 2

Today, Hillary is going to share another excellent and simple recipe that uses lemon verbena: Shortbread.  
For those of you who the word "shortbread" conjures up mouth grimacing memories of stuff obtained in a box or bag, don't worry, real shortbread tastes nothing like the over-processed, over-preserved dry crumbly, cookie-like substances that you get from your local megamart.  Real shortbread is rich, moist, flavorful and decadent.  Best of all, it's extremely easy to make.

If you've never made shortbread before or you've tried and failed, here's a hint: FOLLOW THE RECIPE.  As you well know, In almost every recipe I make, I change stuff up but you can't do that too much with shortbread. All I do is follow this base recipe (which is also quite tasty when made as written), except I don't use any lemon zest and I add 2-4 tablespoons chopped fresh lemon verbena instead of the mint... Really. I don't change anything...

...Okay, I lied; I seriously can't make a recipe without changes anymore (it's a problem, I know)...
-First, I typically follow the creaming method because most other shortbread recipes follow it and because this method helps make sure the ingredients are mixed evenly.  I don't use an electric mixer and I don't mix excessively--just until the ingredients are evenly distributed and it starts to look like cookie dough. I add the verbena in very last after all the other ingredients and usually just mix gently with my hands until it looks more or less evenly distributed.
-Second, I also usually add the tiniest drop of vanilla. Seriously, the amount I put in could probably fit on the head of a toothpick.  If you add much more, the poor cookies will be a mess if they even form dough.  Shortbread is a unique cookie because it has a high fat ratio and often no real emulsifiers like eggs so the difference between "yummy cookie" and "lumpy pile of ingredients that refuse to form a dough" is a seriously small amount of liquid. Another reason we don't want to add too much is that vanilla is a strong flavor and we just want it to smooth out the flavors and help them harmonize just a little bit--more than a tiny drop would yield "vanilla shortbread with some herbs that we think would probably be lemony if we could really taste them."

If you're not familiar with the creaming method, the second half of the article might sound a little overwhelming but I promise it's not AND I promise that it is an excellent method to have knowledge of as many recipes use it (or need to).  Even with my added instructions these are the easiest cookies I have ever made and, in fact, this is the best "oh no I have people on their way to my house right now" dessert to make ever as they take 15-30 minutes total to be finished.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe and encourages you to try making some tasty shortbread-verbena or otherwise.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for more recipes, jewelry updates, interviews and other cool features!

New jewelry pieces and a new treasury!

Hi there, Hillary wanted to share with you some of the htings she has been up to recently!  First, she made a "rosie the riveter" themed treasury in honor of labor day.

Next, Hillary made a few new pieces pictured below and has plans for more!  We will take pictures of these in our awesome plastic container photo studio very soon so we can list them on the etsy shop!
The first one is a wire wrapped black Zwarovski Crystal we recently obtained as a part of a large lot of very awesome and very sparkly crystals.  The next one is a bottle cap pendant created from a unique bottlecap obtained as a part of a large donation of bottlecaps from a friend (pictured at the bottom).  So not only do we have some new pieces to put up, we have tons of materials for more new and amazing creations to put in the shop soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Creation Sunday - Lemon Verbena, part 1

This summer I have been busy with all kinds of pursuits including gaming conventions, working on a costume, working at my new job a whole lot and herb gardening.  With all these fun pursuits comes less time to post (sorry) and all kinds of new opportunities for creation and.... HERBS!  Today I'm going to start a three part (at least) series of food I've created with one of my newly discovered favorite herbs - lemon verbena.

The first "recipe" is so simple, you'll probably call me a charlatan for calling it a recipe once you read it, but it is extremely tasty nonetheless.

Lemon Verbena herbed pasta with Chicken

Ingredients:

-1 box of "Garlic and Olive oil vermecelli" Pasta Roni
-Water and butter called for on pasta box
-3 fresh leaves of lemon Verbena (whole)
-5 oz of pre-cooked chicken in medium sized pieces (I bought the "grilled" kind from the refrigerator section and just cut the bigger pieces in half or thirds as necessary)

Instructions:

Put water and margarine called for by box in pot.  Place lemon Verbena leaves in pot also.  Boil according to directions.  Allow to boil on medium for 2-4 minutes. Remove verbena leaves from pot with tongs.  Add seasonings and pasta as directed on the box.  Continue to cook as directed by the box.  About halfway through cooking, put the chicken in.  Continue to cook as directed by the box until food is done.

See, I told you?  Super simple, but you would be surprised how much flavor the verbena adds just by being steeped in the water for a little while.
Two more verbena recipes will be coming your way soon and some updates on new jewelry as well as, hopefully, some more interviews.  Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!

Interview with Heather from Weaving Web

Today We bring you an interview from Heather of the Weaving Web, a talented crafts-person who draws inspiration from her unique religious beliefs.  Thank you very much for taking the time to share with us, Heather!

 

How did you get started with arts and crafts and how has that relationship developed over time?

I really begin many years ago making simple hemp necklaces and bracelets to wear when I was in high school (1996). In 2006 I started making medicine bags out of leather and collecting stones, and began to read about what healing properties they had. Then in 2010 I decided I wanted to learn how to sew, so I bought and sewing machine and with a help of a friend I learned how to sew. Next came the jewelry making, which came very easy to me and I just started crafting like a mad woman.
I feel a real connection to everything that I make and I do enjoying creating new things all the time. It is just a wonderful thing to do.

According to your profile, A big part of your life and the items you create is your pagan and native American Nature based beliefs, which you say you didn't get into until a few years ago. If you don't mind, can you tell us where you started as far as religion and personal philosophy, how you came to believe in the things you do and how that belief has developed to where you are now.

When I was 16, I decided I wanted to learn more about alternative beliefs. I began reading about Paganism and the different kinds of witchcraft practices. I have been a solitary practicing Witch more many years now. In 2006 I joined a wonderful community that practices Native American (predominately Hopi) practices and saw how I was able to intertwine my own practices with it. Since this time I am doing a seven year apprenticeship with our community leader, learning all I can about Native American ways of healing, ritual, etc. I have been able to intertwine my Pagan practices within this and it has been wonderful. I became an interfaith minister in 2009, and I now teach spiritual circles and do Rune, Card, and other readings at my home in Lexington, KY.

Have you found a lot of resistance to your ideas and your shop or do you find it's easy to connect with people who understand what it is that you do and sell?

I have not found a lot of resistance with others toward my shop. Everyone seems really friendly and very encouraging.

What would you want someone who believes differently from you to understand about you and the items from your shop?

I would want these people to know that everything that I make, I make in a good way and put love, light, and good healing energies in. My motto is "Harm None" and "Walk in Beauty".

Why do you think that the items in your shop are special?

I think what makes my items special is the time and love that I put into making them. I always clear the space with sage and when I'm done I always clear the items so that they are infused with good energy. I never make things if I am not feeling in a good way.

What would you say to other uniquely gifted artists who want to do what you do?

Just do it!! Don't be afraid to create your what you feel you should. You will love the experience and you might be surprised by the response of others loving what you've created!

Last but not least, where can we connect with you and your art?

Right now I'm only online, www.etsy.com/shop/weavingweb
I do have a facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Spider-Womans-Weaving-Web/109828152394437

Interview with Sundari of Moovmint

Today we are featuring an interview with Sundari from Moovmint, a talented footwear and clothing artist.  Thanks, Sundari, for taking the time to talk to us!

Can you tell us a little bit about your history with arts and crafts?

I guess I was born an artist. I was always making something from nothing. I have this need to make things pretty to beautify my surroundings. As I have gotten older and more confidant my art has gotten better and has more meaning. I started making clothes by hand. It was way before I had a sewing machine and I would sew every stitch by hand. I was a total hippie and would also make hemp jewelry. I got my first sewing machine for my 21st birthday and went off to fashion design school. I loved learning and being able to create better pieces. I liked designing clothes but still felt something was missing.

How did you arrive at your current art form? You could make anything in the world, why boots with hearts and skeletons and mirrors?

I spent a lot of years lost and not doing my art. I didn't know what my art was. Nothing spoke to my soul. Nothing my hands made seemed worth any thing. Then It all started with a black pair of boots. It's not that I'm not a fan of black, I just like color. So I set out to make these boots anything but black and I had no idea the door that would open for me. FINALLY. I have found something that speaks to me. That makes my soul sing.

What part of you do you think speaks the loudest through your artwork?

I think my inner child shines through into my art. I like to add a little fantasy to my work. I want it to be fun.

What has people's response to your work been and what kind of people do you find tend to be drawn to your work? 

When I designed my first pair of boots I was stopped all the time and complimented and asked where I got them. I started to think maybe I should make more. So I started going through all the amazing things I have collected over the years and coming up with different designs. I made enough pairs to do a fashion show and then started my shop on Etsy.

What is your favorite thing you have ever made and why?
I don't even know how to answer this. I think my favorite pair of boots I have made are the Sunrise in Tokyo. I have a thing for pink. I have been going back to my roots as a fashion designer and started making dresses again. I think every new dress I make now becomes my favorite.

What do you love the most in life?
um? Wind! It makes me feel so alive.

If you could make everyone in the world understand one thing, what would it be?
Make your life fun. It makes it more worth living when you do. AND Love your self. Love your self more than you ever thought possible.

And Finally, where can we find you and your art?
You can find my art on ETSY I have two shops now. My Boot shop and my new dress shop.

Visit my boot shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/moovmint
Visit my Dress shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/TheTatteredTailor
 

Happy Mother's Day

To all artist moms and any mom who's ever supported a child's dream:

"My mother is a poem
I'll never be able to write,
though everything I write
is a poem to my mother."
~Sharon Doubiago

Happy Mother's Day!