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!

Local author to present interpretive program downtown

Last week, I wrote about local author and Arkansas historian Janis Percefull Kent, who's books, "Three Strangers Come to Call" and "Cedar Glades Express," are set in Hot Springs in the late 1800s.

Thanks to a program co-hosted by Garland County Historical Society and the Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department, we now have an opportunity to see the author present herself as a character from the same time period. Janis will be giving an interpretive speech program at Kenneth Adair Memorial Park in downtown Hot Springs from 12:30-2:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday through September 2; and from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on July 4 and September 4- 5.

During the event, Janis will discuss the historical development of Hot Springs and Americans' belief in the medical benefit of the area's thermal waters, according to a press release. For more information call 501-767-4779. Her books are available for purchase at Larkmartin & Co.

Janis Kent Percefull

Local author Janis Kent Percefull brings Hot Springs history to life with her works of historical fiction, available now at Larkmartin & Co.

"Three Strangers Come to Call" and "Cedar Glades Express" both take place in Hot Springs in the late 1800s. In the first book, two eleven-year old cousins encounter three strangers, each with a gift for their grandfather, one of which is not wanted. In "Cedar Glades Express," a follow-up to "Three Strangers," we meet the cousins once again. Following a harsh winter, fires, and a smallpox epidemic, the girls travel to the nearby village of Cedar Glades with a plan to help their family. The book is based on actual historic facts from Hot Springs.

An Arkansas historian and author, Janis received a B.A. in history from Ouachita Baptist University and an M.A. in public history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Whether you are a longtime resident of Hot Springs or just passing through, these books will make a great addition to your collection. Stop by and pick up a copy of each for yourself or friends and family back home!

If you haven't been by the shop lately, you don't know about all the great new items we have in stock...

We have several new postage-stamp pendants by Heather Montgomery; and Dana Fleming of Recycled Revival recently brought in a collection of her paper posies. (April showers really do bring May flowers!) These cute floral pins are made from recycled paper and make great and inexpensive gifts. No watering necessary!

We also now carry a variety of jams and jellies from Stutzman's Pantry of Belleville, Ark. (The strawberry/jalapeno jam will add a nice kick to breakfast.)

And, we started making liquid soap here at Larkmartin! We have several fragrances available - lemon verbena, lavender and peppermint - as well as fragrance-free. Buy one our 4-ounce bottles, or bring in your own bottle and fill-up at our pump station! Soap is $1/ounce.

Hope to see you soon! Leslie

Mother's Day is Sunday!

What do you get for the woman who is always giving? A chance to indulge herself, with bath and beauty products from Larkmartin & Co.!

Choose from a variety of sugar scrubs and body polishes, yummy-scented soaps and lotions, and botanical bath teas. Or pick up one of our ready-made gift basket. Baskets feature an assortment of our most popular products and are available for budgets both big and small.

While you are here, you will find a variety of other great gift ideas for mom, with jewelry from several of our local artists, plus paintings and ceramics, reusable grocery and produce bags, and a number of other items that are as unique as she is! Show your mom you care this Mother's Day, May 8!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6, 2011. I don't know about you, but the teachers in our life definitely need a thank you! Consider a gift from Larkmartin & Co. Gift certificates, local products or an already made up gift basket! Let your teachers know how special they are to you with a gift from Larkmartin & Co.

New Jewelry in!

Oh Goodness! We just got some really fabulous jewelry in from the local jewelry artist, AEB Design. These are delighfully springy in reclaimed sterling and fine silver, pressed glass (in luscious colors) and fresh water pearls. Besides the fact they are made locally, they range in price from $15-$35! Elegantly simple, they would complement any outfit.

Paper Making workshop with Lisa Danger

For our wedding, my husband, Gabe, and I made our own invitations, paper and all. The paper, which was made using recycled materials, was dotted with little flecks of dried flowers from a bouquet he had given me for Valentine's Day a few months prior.

One of my best friends' dad, who attended the big day, had worked at a paper mill for about 40 years but had never seen "handmade" paper and was so impressed with craftiness.

On Saturday, April 16 at 3:30 p.m., Lisa Danger (one of the featured artists at Larkmartin & Co.) is teaching the Art of Paper Making and Up-Cycling at the Artchurch Studio, 301 Whittington Ave. A free, one-hour workshop, it is open to all ages and will teach the basics of the paper making.

In addition to the workshop, Lisa will be offering a paper making class on Saturday afternoons from 3-4:30 p.m. The class, which begins May 7, is $75 for Artchurch members per month or $90 for non-members and includes all basic materials.

Class size is limited so sign up early!

For more information and to register call the Artchurch Studios at 501.463.9890

www.artchurch.org

It's your birthday!

You say it's your birthday? Well, fancy that! We love birthdays at Larkmartin & Co. Present your driver's license on your birthday and receive 20% off! Here are the birthday guidelines : ( I dislike rules...) - Ages 16 and up with a valid driver's license -It must be on your birthday. If we are closed on your special day, one day, before or after. - Items can not be held and it can't be combined with any other offers, discounts, magic beans or special sales.

Easter gift ideas

Gift-giving is easy this Easter at Larkmartin & Co. with prepackaged gift baskets for the honey bunny in your life. (They also make great gifts for teachers, co-workers and friends!) Baskets include assorted soaps, or a variety of bath & beauty products of the same scent. Or let Briana whip up a specialized basket with the products of your choice! In addition to our regular 4.5-oz bars of soap, we have egg-shaped soaps, and "cupcakes soaps" topped with Easter-inspired erasers - great for kids! Be sure to also check out the French Peat Pot Easter Baskets by Wren Ludwig. They are super cute and, at just $5, super affordable! Wren also has a variety of spring-inspired, handcrafted paper angels - great for hanging on your Easter tree or for sprucing up your home or office. Of course, we also have a number of items great for gift-giving year round, with locally-made artwork and jewelry, one-of-a-kind aprons, re-usable shopping bags and more. So hop on in and have a Happy Easter! Leslie

Recyclables

Some friends were recently making fun of me for all the different trash cans at my house: one for cans, one for bottles, one for plastic, one for kitchen scraps.

"Oh, and bottle caps go over here," I told them.

That's when the "hoarder" jokes began. But, I'm not the only one who feels recycling is important. In fact, several of the items for sale at Larkmartin are made from recycled materials.

Those bottle caps I was saving, for example, weren't for me, but for my friend, Lucy Bright, who makes really cute bottle cap magnets that she sells in the store for $3 each. Heather Montgomery's postage stamp pendants, which start at $16, are made from vintage poker chips, Scrabble tiles and dominoes. Then there is the upcycle extraordinaire, Lisa Danger James, who turns everyday trash into treasure with journals made from scrap paper; wallets and cardholders from milk and juice cartons; and floppy-disk desk organizers.

So even if recycling isn't your bag, you can do your part by buying some upcycled art at Larkmartin!

Leslie

Valley of the Vapors

Over 30 bands from across the coutnry and around the world are about to descend on Hot Springs for your listening enjoyment with the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival.

The week-long event kicks off Saturday, March 19 at Star Gallery with the opening reception and unveiling of the VOV 2011 poster by Print Factory. It is followed with an all-day band blitz on Sunday, featuring 11 bands, including Big Smith, Theodore, Laura Stevenson & The Cans, A Place to Bury Strangers and Hot Springs' own Blue Screen Skyline.

Daily performances representing a variety of genres will continue through Saturday, March 26 at Low Key Arts, with Listening Room Performances Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 at the Art Church.

What Bill Solleder and Shea Childs started in 2005 as a small, "do-it-yourself" rock show has grown over the past several years, garnering support from the community and respect from the independent music scene along the way. Shows are all ages and $5 or less. For a complete schedule of events visit http://www.valleyofthevapors.com/. The VOV is a program of Low Key Arts, a nonprofit arts organization.

See you there! Leslie

"Runs Like A Girl" by local author/artist Jayne

Local artist/author Jayne has written a delightful book about working hard and achieving goals. It just happens to be about a horse! The illustrations are fun and whimsical. The message is one every one needs to hear, boys or girls! My son enjoyed it because he recognized it as part of the horse races and that is unique to our area! If you love the races and need a sweet gift, check out "Runs like a Girl".

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A non-traditional portfolio at the shop

As you may already know, Shannon LaDuke is a photography rockstar! She has put up an adorable portfolio at the shop, you can read her blog here and all about the portfolio!
She came to our house last Sunday to take some pictures of our family in our house. You see, after nine years of living in our cottage, we are moving. Adam and I purchased this house as real "handy man" special and we have literally touched every part of that house. We made it into our home and as excited as I am to be starting a new chapter in our lives, I'll miss that house. She has captured some of my favorite places, especially the living room with the windows on three sides that lets in light like magic. I'm so happy that Shannon has a portfolio at the shop, I'm hoping she will be able to share her ability in capturing families and those special moments.