I am so fortunate to be living in an area where I am literally surrounded by artists, artisans, crafts people and farmers. It is truly easy for me to ‘buy handmade’ and support local businesses as I do not have to travel far to find what I need.

I would like to introduce you to my friend, Lynne Thievin, who owns Wizard Lake Soap & Body Products and Dragonfly Lane Teas, an Alberta home based business. I first met Lynne at a Christmas bazaar at Rundle Mission last November. It only took a few tea samples and a bar of creamy lavender soap and I was hooked. I was so impressed at the quality and beauty of her handmade products that I had to find her again and try more. It wasn’t until the Pigeon Lake farmers market started for the season this year that I found her again and was then able to happily buy my teas and body products.

Dragonfly Lane Teas

Lynne’s large sampling of herbal teas include: Quiet Child, Chinese Green, Cold-Chaser, Festive, Green Mint, Good Morning, Lemon Stress Away, Raspberry Lavender, Relax and Enjoy!!!, Rooibos, Vanilla Rooibos, Fennel Passion, Balance, Sniffle Buster, Yerba Mate, Lavender Buds and Rose Hips.

You can also get the following black teas: Asssam, Mango Ceylon, Oolong and Orange Spice. (Apologies as I don’t have any pictures of her tea selection at the moment.)

Lynne uses the highest ingredients in her teas and many are organically grown and/or fair trade.

Wizard Lake Soap & Body Products

Lynne’s wide selection of body products include bath salts, body wash/bubble bath, shampoo & conditioners, all natural deodorants, exfoliation, lotions, hand and facial creams, face & body mists, baby’s bottom ointment, helpful healing salve, rub it out, and one of my summer essentials: Buzz Off natural mosquito repellant. Wizard Lake Soaps are made from saponified oils of palm, coconut and olive. She also uses only pure essential oils and other fine ingredients. She makes small batches at a time for quality control and all of her products are fantastic for sensitive skin. Here are a few of my daily products (I also use Buzz Off and Gardener’s Delight soap):

Although the Pigeon Lake farmers market has closed for the season, you can contact Lynne by telephone (780-389-4036) or email (wizlakesoap@hotmail.com) with your order. Or you can wait until November and visit her at one of the Christmas bazaars where she will be showcasing her work. Her prices are very affordable and if you would like to ‘buy handmade’ for Christmas gifts, I highly recommend her products. Most of the items are the perfect size for stocking stuffers and upon request, Lynne would be happy to put together a custom gift basket for you.

Click here for Lynne’s Christmas 2011 show schedule.

Click here for the December 5th, 2011 post on Lynne.