All About Natural Deodorant August 7, 2018 17:29 18 Comments

Key Elements in Making Natural Deodorant & How it Works

Some people express that they are careful about what they put on and into their bodies, yet don't feel comfortable doing the same in regards to their armpits because of body odor, stains and excessive sweating. Luckily for them, there are now plenty of readily available natural deodorants that cover all these bases-- and without plugging your pores with aluminum and other potentially harmful chemicals. To prevent human beings from releasing sweat altogether by way of 'antiperspirant' is unnatural and can lead to build up underneath the pores, causes inflammation and ultimately make you smell worse. Deodorant containing only natural ingredients won't make you stop sweating completely (some ingredients such as corn starch will help to absorb moisture, but not block your pores), and most importantly it will help you maintain a fresh scent that lasts throughout the day. 

This is why we at Earth Speaks feel compelled to teach a comprehensive workshop on how to make your very own natural deodorant-- fully tailored to your personal needs and body. The ingredients used in natural deodorants are inexpensive and easy to find, thus making it even more cost effective to simply make your own at home! Not to mention the fact that it is much better for your body and the environment in the long run. 

If you can't make it to our class, we'd like to give a brief breakdown of some ingredients that are frequently used in natural deodorants and explain what their benefits are. 

Coconut Oil

Further affirming its title as one of the 'cure-all' products of the natural beauty & wellness world, coconut oil is an excellent and common addition to natural deodorants. It has antibacterial properties, meaning that it will help protect against odor-causing bacteria.

Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder

These natural powders are both great for absorbing and trapping moisture under your arms. Neither are considered to be "antiperspirants" by the FDA, for this title belongs solely to aluminum, since it prevents you from actually sweating in the first place. However, they are both 100% natural and effective in reducing moisture overall. They also have no scent, leaving that job to the essential oils of your choice.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is filled with a multitude of vitamins and healing properties (another "cure-all" ingredient in my book), such as vitamin E which is incredibly soothing for sensitive under arm skin. It is also moisturizing and won't dry out your skin or make it itch. Shea butter can also help eliminate dark discoloration in the underarm area. Last but not least, its anti-inflammatory properties provide relief from any shaving-related problems, such as bumpiness or ingrown hairs and freshly shaved armpits. 

Beeswax (or other paraben-free waxes)

The wax is what holds the deodorant together (if you are making a solid deodorant or stick deodorant). It will prevent it from melting in high temperatures-- the hotter the climate, the more wax you should add. We will be using beeswax in our workshop, but if you want to make a solid vegan deodorant then you could also use candelilla wax. Candelilla is also a natural product, and a multipurpose vegetable wax. 

Baking Soda or Magnesium Hydroxide

Baking soda is a useful ingredient in natural deodorant because it absorbs and neutralizes body odors. It also helps to prevent excessive sweating. Some people may experience skin irritation from baking soda, so another natural alternative is magnesium hydroxide. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils make up the fragrance of the deodorant. Certain essential oils such as tea tree, grapefruit, lavender, geranium and bergamot all have antibacterial properties, making them ideal components for natural deodorant. Ginger, rosemary, eucalyptus, cypress and lemon are also excellent additions, containing various healing properties.

Bentonite Clay/ Activated Charcoal 

Bentonite clay or activated charcoal are optional components, however if you are transitioning to natural deodorant from commercial deodorant, I would recommend you add one of these detoxifying ingredients. Both activated charcoal and bentonite clay are efficient at drawing toxins out of your body-- therefore on the chance that there is still some aluminum remaining in your sweat ducts from your previous antiperspirant, these detoxifiers will release it from your body. 

If you want to know more about the process of making your own natural deodorant, send us an email at earthspeaksbrooklyn@gmail.com and we will send you a handout from our workshop! There is also plenty of information online, but I would try to refer to credible sources and cross-reference them to gather the best knowledge possible. Also, be sure to sign up for our email list (located at the bottom of our site) to receive invites to monthly workshops such as this natural deodorant class. Thanks for reading! 

Instagram: @earthspeaksbrooklyn

Best Essential Oil Products for Traveling! April 19, 2017 17:30 15 Comments

Traveling is fun, yet exhausting-- it can have bad effects on your skin, lower your immune system and even get you sick. During air travel, the effects are even worse. During any trip, you want to be as healthy and relaxed as possible- that's why we've compiled a perfect travel bag list of Earth Speaks handmade natural products (for aromatherapy, skin care and overall health) to make it through your next trip. Side note: if you're traveling by plane, don't fret because they're all under 3.4 ounces!

1. Motion Sickness Inhaler

We love this inhaler blend! With dill weed, ginger, chamomile and peppermint (among others), this blend of essential oils is perfect for soothing the stomach and easing nausea. Peppermint oil is among the most effective oils in curing nausea and digestive issues. Our inhalers only contain a piece of cotton saturated with essential oils, so there is no liquid and no mess. They are the ideal shape and size to bring with you on a plane, train or bus!

2. Lip Balm

If you are traveling by airplane, the air inside of the pressurized cabin you are traveling in feels dry and stagnant. That's why it is very important to hydrate your skin, particularly your lips, while in flight. Our all natural lip balm contains cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and organic essential oils.

3. Hydrating Face Oil

As previously mentioned, the air in an airplane can severely dry out your skin. In addition, depending on where you are traveling to, chances are that the climate is going to be different from the one that you came from. Using our Hydrating Face Oil once a day is a good way to keep your skin moisturized and your natural oils in balance. It can also help to protect your skin from the sun and other harsh weather conditions. 

4. Insomnia Relief Massage Oil

Sleeping in a new place can be hard to adjust to, especially if you factor in jet lag. This Insomnia Relief massage oil blend is ideal for applying immediately before you get into bed, to help aid sleep and relaxation. It contains essential oils such as lavender and roman chamomile, which are natural sedatives. 

5. Anxiety Inhaler 

The best carry-on for the anxious traveler! Whether you have a fear of planes or just need something to help you transition from work to vacation mode, the Anxiety Inhaler is for you. It is a homemade blend containing grapefruit, ylang ylang and frankincense essential oils. These oils help to relieve stress and calm the mind. Also, taking in deep breaths through the nose is always beneficial for reducing anxiety.

6. Roll-On Dark Circle Oil

Between staying out late, exploring the sights of a new place (which usually entails lots of walking), and adjusting to a new schedule, traveling can really take a toll on your skin and body. This Dark Circle removal oil blend is made from 100% natural ingredients, including fennel and geranium oil, which help improve the elasticity of your skin. Massaging it onto your under eye area promotes blood circulation and helps dark circles fade away.

7. Headache Relief Oil

Headaches can come at any time due to a variety of causes and take you by surprise. This blend of peppermint, lavender, marjoram and chamomile in jojoba oil can simply be rolled straight onto your skin, focusing on the back of the neck, temples and forehead. Depending on the severity of the headache, it can be used as a substitute for ibuprofen, or to supplement it. 

Thanks for reading! xoxo

*~Valentine's Day Special~* Aphrodisiac Essential Oils & How to Use Them February 13, 2017 16:24 12 Comments

Aphrodisiac: 

Our All Natural Perfume Workshop! (2/5/17) February 10, 2017 14:25 4 Comments

Making perfume with essential oils is a fun and easy process that can be done at home if you have the right materials and knowledge! We had a workshop here at the store, Earth Speaks, on Sunday, February 5th and it was a wonderful time. Everyone made two unique essential oil blends and combined them with either alcohol (for perfume), or rose water (for toner). All of the scents were so original and complex, and it will be exciting to see how they change over time. Below, I've posted photos from the workshop and will describe every step of our perfume-making process. 

 1. Know Your Notes: "Top" notes, "middle" notes and "base" notes are three types of scents that all need to be included in your perfume blends. The oils should be added in the order of base, then middle, then top. The top note scents are what you smell initially, but they fade rather quickly. The middle notes tie it all together and are the basis of the fragrance, and the base notes linger and deepen over time. We talked about this topic when we first began the workshop. 

* Our materials included a wide variety of essential oils, 15 mL dark tinted glass bottles with spray tops, 5 mL "testing tubes," 10 mL dark tinted glass bottles with roller tops, droppers, beakers for pouring, jojoba oil, grain alcohol, rose water, lavender water, labels, pens, paper and aromatherapy books. * 

2. Making Your Unique Blend: After we learned about the different components of a fragrance, we all experimented in tiny 5 mL tubes with various essential oil blends. We continued to add oils, using our noses to see what it was lacking, and kept track of how many drops of each oil we used.

 3. Recording Your Recipe: We all took the time to write down every oil that we used in our blends, and how many drops of each oil. Once we reached our ideal scent, we simply repeated the recipe over and over until we filled up our 5 mL testing tubes. 

4. Dilution: Finally, we diluted our essential oil blends using either grain alcohol (for perfume spray), jojoba oil (for a roll-on) or rose water (for a toner). Since the bottles were about 15 mL, we used 5 mL of essential oil and 10 mL of alcohol (or rose water/ lavender water) for a 30% concentration. For the toners, we made it a tiny bit less concentrated-- about 25%-- since you may be spraying it onto your face.

5. Make Your Label: All of the final products turned out so well! After bottling our fragrances, we transcribed the ingredients onto blank labels and named our blends. One woman chose to give her fragrances visual symbols instead of names, which is also very cool! 

We will send out an email every time we have a workshop, at least a week or two in advance. Simply send an email to earthspeaksbrooklyn@gmail.com to RSVP. Also, if you would like to set up a party or get together with friends in the form of a workshop with us, we would love to have you! Send us an email with the subject line "Private Workshop Inquiry," and we will get back to you with the prices and availability.

Thanks for reading! :-)

Top 5 Essential Oils for Cold & Flu January 13, 2017 17:25 2 Comments

Over the counter cold and flu medications and decongestants can leave you feeling drowsy, fuzzy and unpleasant. As a result, essential oils and natural remedies are becoming widespread ways to fight sickness and compromised immune systems. In addition, the prolonged use of synthetic cough and cold relieving drugs isn't healthy for your body on the whole. 

We've selected our top 5 favorite essential oils that are used to help relieve symptoms of the cold and flu. They also help the body to fight off infection, strengthen the immune system and can even prevent you from getting sick in the first place! 

1. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is probably the most well-known of all the cold and flu relieving oils. Its strong, herbal scent makes it an ideal decongestant for both the nasal passages and the chest & throat. 

Method: Add 2-5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil into about 4-6 cups of hot water that has been brought to a boil. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam from the bowl of water. Adding eucalyptus to your bath or shower is also very helpful.

2. Frankincense Oil 

Frankincense has been used for just about everything throughout history, and its use as a chest decongestant and cold remedy is often overlooked. Frankincense relieves tightness in the chest and deepens your breath. 

Method: You can use frankincense the same way as eucalyptus (see above). You can also make a massage oil using frankincense, eucalyptus, rosemary and lemon, diluted in a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Proceed to rub it onto your chest and throat.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree is the type of oil that should be in everyone's medicine cabinet, as it is a strong all natural antiviral. Tea tree oil actually fights infections, rather than just masking the symptoms. 

Method: Use tea tree oil when you feel a cold coming on, or at the first signs of the cold or flu. Add a few of drops to a hot bath (along with lavender oil if you choose) to help fight infection. Tea tree is also a germ killer, so you can use it to make a homemade cleaning spray. 

4. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is pretty similar to eucalyptus oil in that they both have potent herbal aromas, and are adept at relieving congestion. Rosemary is an immune-booster and is beneficial for the immune system when diffused in the air. 

Method: Combine peppermint, rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus essential oils and drop onto a washcloth. Place it under the nose and inhale deeply. You can also take the same blend and dilute it in a carrier oil (i.e. grapeseed, olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, etc.) and rub or massage it onto your chest. 

5. Thieves Oil

Thieves oil is actually a common blend of a few different essential oils- clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary- all of which are excellent for the immune system and relieving colds. It also clears mold from the air when diffused. As an added bonus, Thieves has a delightfully warm and spicy aroma. 

FUN FACT: During the outbreak of the bubonic plague, thieves would cover their hands and bodies with this oil blend so that they could rob the dead. They believed the thieves oil protected them from contracting the plague. This common practice is where the name 'Thieves oil' comes from.

Method: Add thieves oil to a spray bottle filled with distilled water and a tiny bit of alcohol and use to clean surfaces and kill germs to prevent spreading illness. Diffuse to eliminate airborne bacteria. Dilute Thieves oil with a carrier oil to make a multi-purpose massage oil (for chest, shoulders and neck). 

AWESOME SALES & New Products for the Holidays!! November 10, 2016 14:51 2 Comments

Believe it or not, it's that time of the year again! The holiday season is steadily approaching and some of us have already begun our quest for the perfect gift. And nothing says 'one of a kind' like a gift that is handcrafted in our beloved Brooklyn, New York-- and luckily for you we've got plenty of those. 

We've decided to participate in the whole "Cyber Monday" craze and offer some special deals to our wonderful neighbors, friends and customers far and wide. 

CYBER MONDAY DEALS: 

1. Take 20% off orders equal to or above $50.00. Valid all day from 12 AM to 11:59 PM on Monday, November 28th. 

Discount Code: 16KXXGPIAKFE

2. Take 15% off any items in our new collection, "Mists." Valid all day from 12 AM to 11:59 PM on Monday, November 28th. 

Discount Code: ZVZ3P0KQ4C9A

** Also keep in mind that if you live in NYC or nearby, then you can come into our store anytime between Thanksgiving & New Years to receive special deals on some of our products (i.e. if you spend over a certain amount you get a discount).  

NEW PRODUCTS:

We are constantly concocting new creations in our shop, whether it be Terrarium Jewelry, an essential oil blend or a new type of soap or candle. 

Our new collection of handmade essential oil-based aromatherapy mists has been well-received by our local customers and customers from our run at Chelsea Market. 

A little bit about our Mists:

- Made using pure essential oils diluted in grain alcohol

- Multipurpose; can be used as a perfume or body mist, room spray or linen spray

- Specifically designed to provide different benefits that can be experienced through aromatherapy

We have also recently created a Motion Sickness Inhaler that is not packaged or labeled quite yet, containing essential oils of dill weed, ginger, grapefruit, peppermint and chamomile. 

Also in the works are as follows: all natural Deodorant, massage oil for menopause, aromatherapy inhaler to help quit smoking, and antibacterial hand spray. Stay tuned! 

SHOP NOW at www.earthspeaks.com. 

New Mist Collection: http://www.earthspeaks.com/collections/mists

Special Offers During Atlantic Antic Street Festival! September 19, 2016 14:52 1 Comment

The time has come again for the Atlantic Antic-- the "oldest and largest street festival in Brooklyn, New York!" (Atlantic Avenue LDC). The Atlantic Antic is tons of fun, kicking off the autumn season with a variety of live musical performances, delicious food from local vendors, art, and lots of shopping. Every year our store participates in this festival, celebrating with one-time only discounts and sales on various items. Continue reading below to find out what we're planning for this year's Antic! 

The Air Plant Hair Clip! 

An Atlantic Antic special! We don't typically make or sell these throughout the year-- only at this particular festival. We also create "crowns" or headbands with one or multiple air plants attached. "Living Accessories" is what we like to call them :-) 

Discounts on Terrarium Jewelry!

Up to 40% off select items in our handmade Terrarium Jewelry collection! Includes rings, earrings and necklaces. Our Terrarium Jewelry is all handmade using natural materials such as moss and dried flowers, all encapsulated in glass.  

New Essential Oil Perfumes! 

(Photo: @earthspeaks_bk on Instagram) 

We've been hard at work the past few weeks, cooking up some new all natural perfume recipes! Pictured above is "Earth Oil," an herbal and refreshing scent that was made into both a perfume spray and an essential oil diffuser blend. We have a few other new scents as well, all making their debut this Sunday at Atlantic Antic.  

Extended Collection From Our Latest Local Artist!

(Photos: @RoxannSlate on Etsy)

The most recent artist to join our co-op is glass jewelry artist Roxann Slate. A Brooklyn native, all of Roxann's pieces are "...created by heating rods of glass in a 2,000 degree flame" (RoxannSlate, Etsy). She will be bringing a much larger collection of her jewelry to Atlantic Antic than what we have currently on display in our store.  

Free Samples and More Sale Items! 

There will of course be free samples available, featuring some of the perfume oil fragrances. There will also be testers of all our unique oil blends to try out! In addition, we will be having a sale on countless other items in our shop, such as the hanging terrariums, both pre-made and DIY! 

So come and enjoy the music, art, food and shopping and celebrate your favorite NYC borough. There will be a plethora of handmade goods and discounted items! As you can tell, we are excited. Hope to see you all there!! 

Our Summer DIY Skin Care Workshop! August 4, 2016 15:33

The second to last weekend in July, we hosted an essential oil workshop at our store in Brooklyn! We all had a lot of fun making our own custom blends using essential oils and carrier oils that we hand-picked to suit our unique skin types. Essential oils are also used in the practice of aromatherapy, which can cater to a variety of physical and mental issues, so we took that into consideration when choosing our oils. We learned about ratios and how to dilute essential oils in making skin care products. In the end, everyone went home with a 2 oz. spray bottle of toner and a 1 oz. bottle of face oil that they made that day!

1. Carrier oils: A carrier oil is a mild vegetable-based oil that is often used in aromatherapy to dilute essential oils so that they can be applied to the skin. The photo above depicts the carrier oil options that we had available at our workshop!  

2. Essential oils: We had a wide array of essential oils available for use, ranging from the more pricey oils (sandalwood, rose, jasmine) to the more basic common oils (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus). 

3. More Materials: In addition to our ingredients, we were also equipped with all of the necessary containers and tools for the workshop. This included dark-tinted glass bottles (to preserve the oil over time), droppers, and various types of beakers, funnels and pumps for distributing oil into the bottles.  

3. Studying! In addition to a verbal lecture/conversation about oils, there was also a ton of written reference material handy. Those involved in the workshop were encouraged to flip through our books about aromatherapy and skin care while formulating recipes for their oil blends. 

4. Lots of Smelling: As much reading as you may end up doing about essential oils, the decision really comes down to one of our most powerful senses: smell. 

5. Finalizing Our Recipes: After much studying and field research smelling the oils, we finally come to a decision about what to put in the face oil and toner. It is important to keep it simple and not choose too many ingredients for our blends, because that can get very complicated. Certain oils mix well together and some may not. It is all part of their chemistry.  

6. Samples! We first concocted small samples of our oil blends and toners, so that we could test them out and see if we liked them. It was important to see which scent was too strong or what the blend was lacking as a whole. The same proportions were used in the samples as used in the larger volumes. 

7. Finished Products: After mixing and adjusting oil blends and toners, we made sure that every bottle was labeled with its list of contents. Everyone had the pleasure of taking home the results of their hard work, their very own custom oil blends specifically tailored to their needs. How amazing is that! 

If you want to know more about our workshops, please email us at earthspeaksbrooklyn@gmail.com, or join our email list, which is at the bottom of the home page of our website (just to keep up with our workshop schedule and any other special offers-- we won't spam you!). Or you can always come talk to us in person at our shop on Atlantic Avenue. Our workshops are fun, affordable and educational! 

Essential Oil Blends for the Summertime July 15, 2016 16:59

Essential oils can be the perfect antidote to brutal summer heat-- and if you live in a city like we do, summer may also bring unpleasant smells and sweaty crowds. In this post we will be discussing different essential oil blends that you can concoct yourself, as well as suggesting some of our own products that we've deemed perfect for summertime! 

Genres of Essential Oils for Summer

If you know a bit about essential oils, then you may have heard them described or categorized by types of aromas. For example, "woody" or "earthy," "citrus," "herbal," "floral," etc. For hot, stuffy or humid summer air, excessively spicy or woody oils tend to be too much. Also, when used on the body, spice oils create warming sensations rather than cooling ones. 

So we like to stick with the light and uplifting oils such as herbal, citrus and floral types. In the heat, we are more likely to get drowsy or tired quicker, so it is good to use oils that energize and refresh. 

Must-Have Essential Oils for Summer

Here are some examples of oils that we like to use in the summertime:

1. Peppermint Oil 

Peppermint is the ultimate cooling essential oil. It is often used to ease muscle pains and headaches because of this deep cooling sensation that targets the area you apply it. It is a very stimulating oil that can also we used to give you a mental boost throughout the hot afternoon. 

DIY Diffuser Blend: Peppermint, Sweet Orange and Lime.

Our Pick: We carry an essential oil inhaler of that exact blend (above), called Mental Focus. Perfect for studying or just a little pick-me-up during your commute.

2. Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass has a perfectly fresh, lemony scent that is very uplifting, both in terms of energy and emotions. As an added summer bonus, it also naturally repels mosquitos!

DIY Diffuser Blend: Lemongrass, thyme, eucalyptus and basil (a very herbal blend). 

Our Pick: 'Roll-On Energizing Oil' perfume oil works wonders for anything from headaches (simply roll it onto your temples and massage) to boosting your level of alertness throughout the day. Also try our 'Vitality' diffuser blend, which is a mixture of lemongrass and grapefruit essential oils. 

3. Geranium Oil

Geranium Oil has a floral aroma that is incredibly unique, almost reminiscent of a citrus oil. Geranium is known to lessen mental fatigue, and keep away insects! Its lovely floral aroma also makes for an excellent summer perfume component. 

DIY Diffuser Blend: Lavender, Geranium and Roman Chamomile.

Our Pick: Our new 'Sensuality' Be Home diffuser oil is a mixture of ylang ylang, geranium, palma rosa and patchouli, creating just the right balance of aromas. 

4. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus has been a classic go-to oil for ages. It is most commonly known for its use as a decongestant and antiseptic. It blends well with other oils to make pleasant and refreshing fragrances for diffusers and perfume oils. Eucalyptus acts as both an insect repellant as well as an antidote to bites and stings. 

DIY Diffuser Oil: Peppermint, eucalyptus, clove and lemongrass. 

Our Pick: We make a 'Breathe Easy' Perfume Oil that is a cooling and invigorating blend of eucalyptus, basil, rosemary and marjoram. 

5. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a calming oil, often used to reduce stress and anxiety. It has a floral aroma that mixes well with mint and citrus scents. Lavender adds a relaxing and grounding undertone that evens out the intensity of an oil such as peppermint. 

DIY Diffuser Oil: Lavender, Cypress, Juniper Berry, Peppermint. 

Our Pick: Our 'Balance' diffuser oil is a simpler version of the mixture listed above. It contains just Lavender and Peppermint oils, which work together in a completely harmonious way. 

Thank you for reading and enjoy the remainder of the summer! Stay cool and take out those essential oils!

On Sale Now at the Museum of the City of New York! July 1, 2016 15:39

Last weekend we had the opportunity to conduct a pop-up sale at the Museum of the City of New York, a beautiful museum that focuses on the rich history of NYC and features locally made products in its gift shop and pop-ups. We are lucky to also have our Be Beautiful organic skin care products and handmade Terrarium Jewelry in their gift shop's permanent collection.

We will soon be doing more pop-ups there, potentially alongside some other made-in-NYC vendors! Museum of the City of New York is located across from Central Park on the East side, at 1220 5th Avenue. Below are some photos of our setup! 

The products that are on display now in the gift shop is our all natural Insect Repellant, Classic Face Oil, Neroli Body Oil, Lemongrass Grapefruit Lip Balm, Roll-On Energizing Oil, a couple other roll-on perfume oils and all of our essential oil Inhalers. For Terrarium Jewelry, we have rings, small, medium and large earrings, earrings with semi-precious stones and small to large necklaces. Stop by and check it out! 

A Visit to Our Shop May 23, 2016 16:54

Although we sell many of our fabulous handmade products online, we believe that our physical store is definitely something worth experiencing! It has a very unique and tranquil atmosphere, and there are countless other amazing items here that we don't sell online at the moment. Plus, you can actually test out our essential oil blends and experience their therapeutic and mesmerizing scents in person! Whether you're a New York City native or just in town for the week, we encourage you to give our shop a visit and come relax here for as long as you'd like. 

A little background history: We began as a coffee shop and bakery, holding poetry readings and other community events. The owner of the store is a phenomenal cook and would hold free community dinners for all who wished to attend in the neighborhood! She was also a fashion designer and had a very popular online clothing business at the time, called Earth Speaks. In the cafe there was a rack of clothing that was for sale, the Earth Speaks Organic Fashion line. Soon the store evolved into solely a clothing store. It featured sophisticated women's apparel made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as hemp. Many years later, we evolved yet again and followed our passion for plants and gardening, and combined that with a love for art and design. We became an art co-op, selling handmade goods from local artists, as well as terrariums of our own creation. Now, we do all of that- the fashion, the co-op, the terrariums- and most recently, aromatherapy and organic skin care. These are all things that we had been involved in and practicing all-along, and ultimately decided to make a business of it. All of our products are tied together by our affinity for handmade and artist-made goods, as well as the concept of leading healthy, mindful and spiritual lives.

In this blog, I'd like to share some photos of our store and describe its contents in the form of a 'virtual tour,' just to give a general idea of our variety of products and what we do here. 

We have a wide variety of Buddha statues, ranging from the Nirvana Buddha to the Medicine Buddha, from big to small. Most are made of bronze or brass, but the one pictured above is ceramic. 

We believe that plants are essential to creating good energy in any space, not to mention the obvious benefits it has on your health and air quality. We have a large collection of plants, mainly air plants and succulents. 

Our vast collection of crystals, stones and geodes brings a calming and restorative energy to the space, helping to eliminate negative thoughts and feelings. Our collection includes (but is not limited to) geodes, quartz, malachite eggs, tiger's eye, jade, rose quartz, amethyst and more. We have all sorts of stones for different purposes and occasions. 

Earth Speaks is also technically an art co-op, because we sell handmade items from many different artists. Ranging from jewelry made with resin and crystals, to incredibly tiny handcrafted high-heel shoe earrings (www.etsy.com/shop/YinyingO), to beautiful earthy pottery, we can confidently say that we have a wide variety of talented artists here! 

Another shot of some of our favorite statuettes and clay pots. Featuring Buddhist figures of Kuan-Yin, goddess of compassion, as well as a wood-carved head of the Meditation Buddha and a bronze statue of Ganesh (top left). 

Earth Speaks was originally the name of our organic fashion line of hemp and silk clothing, and now has extended to a broader variety of products. However, we still sell Earth Speaks Organic Fashion in our shop and constantly are alternating the clothing selection and bringing in new timeless and beautiful styles. 

See it to believe it! Visit our shop today (if you are living locally) or anytime you pass through NYC. Everyone is always welcome-- 7 days a week-- to come shop, relax, learn new things and even let us make you a cup of tea. 

Located at: 139 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours: 12 pm- 7 pm, everyday. 

Earth Day Organic Fashion Event! April 15, 2016 14:43