To Have + To Hold: Pretty Glass Apothecary Jars for Herbal Safekeeping

There are few things as precious and delicate as a perfect rosebud picked on a dewey morning, a bunch of fresh chamomile gathered and hung to dry, or sweet honeysuckle flowers collected at the peak of their beauty and vitality. Naturally the freshness and purity of herbs and flowers need to be preserved properly and in containers that are worthy of their beauty, not plastic bags or tupperware. Well preserved herbs stored in glass amber or blue jars and kept in shaded, cool areas can then be transformed into high quality healing teas, tinctures, hydrasols, and herbal oils. I have seen some beautiful herbal pantries that are filled with unusual jars, hand painted, etched, engraved, embellished, and labeled with handmade labels to house the owner’s beloved herbs. You can find unique pieces online or at yard sales and antique shops, here are some jars that inspire me:

Russell Johnson Imports

via Mademoiselle Chipotte at Etsy

via M.E. Beck Designs

via We ♥ It

via Allie’s Adornments on Flickr

via Polka Dot Rose on Etsy

via One Kings Lane

via Franz66 at Etsy

Natural Inspiration: Tiny Spiderwebs + Intricate Embroidery

As I was walking up the path to my house this morning, I spotted the tiniest spider web intricately woven between two little branches through the corner of my eye. (It was so infinitesimal that my camera could not even capture it.) I crouched down beside it and admired the nearly invisible little spider’s devoted handiwork as it gently swayed in the wind. What a beautiful sight. I realized that spiders are nature’s needleworkers. Embroidery and cross stitch has always enchanted me because the embroiderer’s devotion and individuality – imperfections and all – remain inside the piece. Here are some of my favorites:

CHARTREUSE KARMA LIVING BOTANICAL CREWEL EMBROIDERED PILLOW from Nectar

MARRAKECH CURTAIN from Anthropologie

AUTUMN SPIDERWEB EMBROIDERY on Flickr

VINTAGE MUSHROOM + WOODLANDS EMBROIDERY from Etsy