When we first started doing farmers' markets, we realized that we needed something to offer to customers in the early spring before the crops were in, and in the late fall after the crops were winding down. Then one day I picked up a book on soap making at The Big Chicken Barn ( an awesome used bookstore and antique store in Ellsworth, Maine ) and had one of those HOT DAMN!! moments. Thinking that soap would do the trick to fill our gaps, i gave it a whirl. The first batch was lumpy and funny looking, but i had a wicked good time doing it-- so i kept at it, and somehow figured it out.
At about the same time, we began to realize that we needed some way to use the large amounts of medicinal herbs that we were harvesting on the farm. Since the soap was selling well at market, i decided to start making some skin care products out of the herbs. My first product was the French Clay and Herb Facial Scrub, which sold like hot cakes. Women loved it: they 'd pick a jar up at market in July, and then call me up in December in a panic when it ran out--- desperate for more. This got my wheels turning and i started to develop more products.
Somewhere along the line, i also became obsessed with having great skin. When you're a farmer, it's really hard to keep your skin looking good. During the summer, i'm outside toiling in the dirt and blazing sun all day, completely slathered in sunscreen and bugspray. And, i mean, think about it-- it is really hard to sell someone skin care products with a big zit on your chin, or red scaly dry patches around your mouth! I quickly realized that the first person's skin i had to work on was my own-- so i began to research skin care ingredients and experiment with different formulas and recipes, trying to figure out what really does work.
The result is Birdsong Botanicals, a nice little line of skin care products made right here on Birdsong Farm. We use only natural ingredients, many of which have been used by women for centuries. We try to keep the formulas simple and effective to help you keep your skin looking and feeling great.
