know your farmer, know your soap

Do you know Jay and Valorie Lee, the force behind JV Farms? If you don't, you should. Good folks with great food. They set up at the Hot Springs Farmers Market every Saturday and they sell only what they grow or raise. They have organic vegetables, pastured chickens, fresh eggs, whole hog sausage and berries. Delicious, scrumptious berries. We've been discussing different ways to use local ingredients in the soap and partner in our local community and this is a perfect partnership, JV Farms blackberry soap. All the goodness of Larkmartin Soap combined with local, farm fresh fruit.
They dropped off a tub of blackberries last month to use and mouth salivated at the sight of those plump beauties. I resisted eating them and put them in the pot of soap! What has turned out is a delight! Sweet, yet not sticky sweet, blackberry scent with real blackberries! It lathers just like all the soaps you know and love. This is a unique opportunity to try the perfect partnership! JV Farms will have the soap at this Saturday's market and we have a few exclusive bars in the shop.

Support area nonprofits this weekend!

It’s gonna be a busy weekend… and lots of fun, with opportunities to support two awesome area nonprofits that help make Hot Springs the unique and creative town that it is.

This Friday, Maxine’s Live is hosting a fundraiser for the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the music starting at 7 p.m. The line up includes Chuck Dodson, Gus & Call, Bizarro Buddha, Walking Lawsuits, The Global Test, and cinePLOSION with DJ Mike Shaeffer.

The fun continues on Sunday at Artchurch Studios with more live music, and some great food! Artchurch Studios - in conjunction with JV Farms, Free Greens Inc, the Spa City Co-op and the Historic Downtown Farmers Market - is hosting the Spa City Locavores’ Community Bar-B-Que & Concert Summer Fundraiser. The event will be held from 2-8 p.m. at the Artchurch with the Bar-B-Que from 2-5 p.m. and the Concert from 5-8 p.m.

The "Bar-b-que" will feature pork, chicken and beef from local, sustainable organic farmers. It will be followed by live music with the Artchurch Studios' July House Concert Series featuring several touring acts performing. Tickets are $5 for the barbecue and $8 for the concert, or $10 for both.

There will also be an auction with a variety of items up for grabs, including some goodies from Larkmartin & Co! So get out this weekend and support area nonprofits while enjoy live music and great company. And don’t forget to support your local soap shop - Larkmartin & Co.! We’re open 10-5 Monday through Friday at 340 Ouachita Ave.

Happy July!

Hooray! Summer is full swing and we've got some great summer soap scents. Sweet Blackberry, Honeysuckle and Lemon Poppy. Stop in today!

Crafty town

There is something special about Hot Springs... maybe some thing's in the water that makes everyone so crafty but we sure have a lot of talented people in this town - many of whom feature their wares here at Larkmartin & Co.

I work in shop once a week, typically, and every time I come in, there is something new and I'm always amazed at the creativity that flourishes in our small arts community. I'm also impressed by the support the community shows its artists and small businesses. Larkmartin & Co. support local artists and, in turn, the community supports the shop. It's a feel-good cycle - one that I hope continues in our town.

Since working here, I've gotten to indulge my own crafty side - Briana usually has some fun project for me to do, whether it's making candles, lip balm or sugar scrubs. Today, I'm making Silly Bandz soap for the kiddos. See you soon. Leslie

Happy Father's Day Printable

Hey there! I hope you are well! I'm so excited about a little father's day idea! (Adam, stop reading this...) Here is a free download for you to print out and embellish for your special father! The idea is to have your children's handprints become the "leaves" of the tree. Leaves of green, yellow and aqua would complement it nicely. It is sized for a 12x16 and you could upload and print them out for $2.96 at Sam's Club or from your home computer. Frames are 50% at Hobby Lobby this week, as well. I hope you can use it and make your very own special gift for your special fathers in your life! Have a great weekend! Briana

Here's a link to higher resolution pic, http://www.flickr.com/photos/55476535@N07/5839899412/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Get crafty with Lucy!

Love Lucy Bright Designs? Interested in making your own jewelry? Then you will want to check out the classes Lucy is now teaching at Michaels Arts & Crafts, 1438 Hidgon Ferry Rd.

Lucy is a local jewelry and a featured artist at Larkmartin & Co., where her sterling silver earrings and bottle cap magnets are available for purchase. (Be sure to stop by and check out her recently made patriotic magnets - just in time for the 4th of July!)

Techniques covered in her classes include bead stringing, wire wrapping, knotting and crimping. During the two-hour hands-on classes, students make something to take home. Classes are $25 each and are held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday and from 4-6 p.m. every other Saturday. Stop by Michaels to register or call 501-318-9732 for more information.

Father's Day Gift Ideas...Part One

Happy June! Summer has finally appeared and that means Father's Day is right around the corner. I'm so excited to share with you our new shaving mugs and shaving soap! I finally made our famous shaving soap in round molds and paired them with locally made shaving mugs by Joey Ruhsam. Add a shaving brush and you've got an instant awesome gift! I only have 5 available, so if you want one, you'll need to act fast!