Photo Karen Graham
Millbrook Farmers’ Market vendor Barb Newman’s booth is full of potential holiday gifts.
Thistles and Sticks grew out of a desire of its owner Barb Newman to live simply; returning to our basic roots.
Having spent a career painting houses, she was looking for a way to employ her creative energy by repurposing items that would otherwise be discarded, bringing them new life. There is also a growing appreciation for the need to sustainably source ingredients, so her focus is on developing products that are organic and gentle on people and the environment. Thistles and Sticks produces a line of natural soap products, shampoo bars, and doggie shampoo, as well as hand-carved spoons created by her husband John.
Their signature soap is the Woodsman Cedar Scrub, made with ground cedar leaves and cedar seed cones providing a very mild exfoliation. No palm oils or any artificial colours or fragrances are used in any of their soaps or products. All personal grooming products are registered with Health Canada.
Inspiration for another original soap product came from old bricks, which are ground by hand with a mortar and pestle to create a pumice ingredient. It even looks like one!
The couple also host creative workshops where they teach a variety of skills including soap making and eco-dying. At the eco-dying workshop customers create their own hand-dyed tea towels using natural pigments from wildflowers, herbs and other items harvested from the field and garden. They are also hosting a holiday décor workshop where customers create seasonal displays in vintage looking metal troughs. Join Barb at South Pond Farms in Pontypool on Sunday November 24th to make your own Christmas arrangement or purchase one at her booth at the Millbrook Christmas Market the same day from 10 am to 1pm in the old arena. For more information about Thistles and Sticks, visit their Facebook page. KG
