Save 20% using code SUPERMOON8 now through August 10th! And don't miss the epic super moon!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Super Moon Sale! Save 20% Now!
Save 20% using code SUPERMOON8 now through August 10th! And don't miss the epic super moon!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
The Summer Garden at Wild Rose
Summer is here in Southern Oregon and our permaculture gardens are exploding with fresh food and herbs! We grow all of our own Calendula and Yarrow in our annual veggie gardens because they are wonderful allies for our food crops. They attract beneficial insects, improve flavor and keep the soil healthy.
Calendula is perfect paired with tomatoes. Our tomatoes aren't quite ripe, but we are sure to have an epic crop this year!
We also practice bio-intensive gardening which combines beneficial crops into the same bed to best utilize space and increase yields. Here, our early kale plants are using space not yet taken up by our young squash. Lettuce also fills unused space as the squash grows.
When establishing our garden, we left this large wild Yarrow patch intact. I was surprised to see it bloom in hues of pink - a color only found in ornamental and high elevation varieties. This beautiful bunch will provide us with Yarrow for many years to come!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Clear Summer Skin with Wild Rose's Clarity Line
For those of us with oily or blemish-prone skin, keeping skin clear through the Summer can be tricky - particularly during these hot, dry spells! Rising temperatures can increase oil production and sweat, which in turn requires a more intensive cleaning regimen. But, extra washing combined with the dry air can leave skin parched, causing oil glands to work overtime. Thus, more washing, and the cycle continues.
Our Clarity skin care line has been developed with balance in mind. Clarity is an aromatherapy-based system that supports clear, blemish-free skin for all ages and skin types by working with your skin's natural cycles to reduce breakouts. Clarity combines pure botanicals with organic essential oils for an effective regimen that will not over-dry or irritate sensitive skin. All without chemicals or synthetic materials, this system is 100% plant-based. Perfect for blemish-prone and oily skin, beneficial for all. Clarity is a three-step daily regimen plus a weekly/as needed mineral facial mask.
Step one: Clarity Calendula Cleanser. A gentle, yet effective
botanical cleanser balances and purifies for clear and healthy skin.
This liquid facial wash is enhanced with organic Calendula extract plus
organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pink Grapefruit and Pacific
Northwest Lavender for deep cleansing. Clarity's scent is refreshing,
fruity and slightly floral.
Use just a few drops of this concentrated wash to lather in wet hands before applying to the face. Massage gently in a circular motion with fingertips or your favorite facial brush. Rinse well with warm water and lightly pat dry.
Step two: Clarity Purifying Facial Toner. This all natural astringent is made with soothing organic Witch Hazel extract plus organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Grapefruit and Pacific Northwest Lavender. These powerful plant-based ingredients work together to draw out stubborn impurities and tighten pores.
After cleansing, apply just a few drops to a dry face using a clean cotton ball to remove excess impurities and tighten pores.
Step three is the Clarity Balancing Moisturizer. This lightweight, highly absorbent oil-based moisturizer combines Grapeseed and Borage Seed oils to balance and nourish picky skin. Enhanced with organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pacific Northwest Lavender, Pink Grapefruit, Palmarosa and German Chamomile to soothe and hydrate skin without clogging pores. Clarity Balancing Moisturizer is designed to mimic your skin's natural oils and will leave your face feeling soft, clear and hydrated with sparing, recommended use.
After cleansing and toning, allow face to air dry. Then rub just a few drops between the palms before gently patting onto the face and neck. Generally, 3-5 drops will be enough to hydrate the entire face depending on your skin type.
For best results, we recommend including our Clarity Purifying Facial Mask in your skincare regimen at least weekly, or more as needed. This gently purifying mask combines detoxifying French Yellow Clay with exfoliating Witch Hazel Bark for an effective, yet enjoyable spa experience. Enhanced with organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pacific Northwest Lavender, Lemon Peel, Carrot Seed and German Chamomile. This unique blend will purify skin and fill your bathroom with a calm herbacious, lightly floral therapeutic aroma.
This is a dry powder mask that you mix at home. This eliminates the need for nasty preservatives, allows you to mix the mask to your desired consistency and gives you at least double the product! This jar pictured above will last for at least 24 treatments.
In a small dish, combine 1 tsp mask with 1 tsp water. This will activate the essential oils, filling the air with a rich, botanical aroma. Apply to face and let dry for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently rubbing to exfoliate. Use as needed depending on skin type, at least once a week.
So stop fighting your skin this Summer! Healthy and balanced skin is possible with gentle, natural products like those found in our Clarity line.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Wild Rose Herbs on the Urban Outiftters Blog!
We were recently interviewed by Urban Outfitters for their studio visit blog! View the full interview below:
Hello Ashley! Can you tell us a bit about the history of Wild Rose?
I learned the value of a DIY ethic at a young age. I was raised by a single mother of three and resourcefulness was key in our household. My mom gets credit for introducing me to herbalism. Teas, tinctures and bad-tasting supplements were always on hand, and colorful herb books filled our shelves. This, combined with my immersion in the local punk scene, made me crave the skills necessary to be totally self-reliant. Despite doing well in school, I skipped college and invested in a small library of books on everything from aromatherapy to homesteading.
At first, I didn’t intend to sell my creations. I made them as an alternative to store-bought synthetic products for myself, family and close friends. It wasn’t long before I was selling my herbal salves to the local health food store, funding my new-found hobby. I maintained a low-key presence at farmer's markets and craft fairs for the next four years, even while living off the grid in Northern California. When I found myself back in “the city,” I decided to take my most treasured recipes and reincarnate my products under the name Wild Rose.
Can you tell us more about the ingredients you use?Wild Rose is my response to an economy where the ecological, political, and social costs of manufacturing are veiled. I spend much of my time tracking down raw materials, packaging, and even office supplies to their source. This minimizes or eliminates the social, environmental, and ethical footprint of my products by choosing sources that are non-GMO, sustainably harvested, organic, or fair trade. I grow many of the fresh botanicals needed for my recipes just outside my workshop.
When I get the chance to make a new product, I generally look through my "personal stash" for inspiration. All of my products started as a custom recipe for myself or a loved one. I then do an immense amount of research to get the very best ingredients available. The specific formulation of a product could be called intuitive. I tend to know exactly how many drops or milliliters of an ingredient will give me the result I want.
Tell us about working in Oregon. What brought you there and why do you stay?Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley is a hotspot for alternative entrepreneurs. I gain my inspiration from those who have come before me—the formidable, independent herbal and beauty companies who started right here. Of course, I believe the main reason this area is so full of successful, alternative businesses is due to our beautiful surroundings. Southern Oregon, part of the Klamath-Siskiyou Region, is known as a climate “melting pot” as we see the confluence of four different bioregions: North Pacific Coast, Cascades, Great Basin and California’s Central Valley. The people here are varied, but we all hold the same basic values: a focus on sustainability, a love of nature, and a desire to protect this critical bioregion for future generations.
What are some of your favorite Oregon spots? Can you divulge any secret swimming holes you love?Grants Pass is a pretty small town (a population of about 33,000) and the largest in the county! You’ll be hard pressed to find a restaurant open past 9pm. And if you’re looking to shop downtown on a Sunday or Monday—forget it! Grants Pass runs on its own schedule; even the cops hold banker’s hours. Most locals find entertainment outdoors, especially on the Rogue River, which runs right through downtown Grants Pass.
This area holds the largest concentration of intact watersheds in the Pacific Northwest, which means we also hold the largest concentrations of secret swimming holes! I’ve lived in the region for seven years, and I feel like I’ve only begun to explore the endless rivers, streams, and lakes. One of my favorites is on the Illinois River about six miles up Illinois River Road out of Selma. It’s a steep hike down the canyon, but a gentle and deep swimming hole awaits with plenty of jumping rocks.
A few more miles up this road you’ll find the infamous Illinois River foot bridge where daring locals take a 60-foot plunge in the river. Another favorite spot is actually north of Grants Pass along the Umpqua River. If you take Highway 138 East out of Roseburg, you’ll be treated to one of the most scenic and easily-accesible drives through the Cascades. There’s more waterfalls than one can visit within a day, plus the most epic natural hot springs near Toketee Falls.
*The original blog posted by UO had many errors regarding the botanicals included in our products. I have corrected the errors here for clarity and truthfulness.
Ashley Bessler from Wild Rose on how a childhood of bad-tasting supplements led to her own herbal apothecary line. Images provided by Wild Rose
Hello Ashley! Can you tell us a bit about the history of Wild Rose?
I learned the value of a DIY ethic at a young age. I was raised by a single mother of three and resourcefulness was key in our household. My mom gets credit for introducing me to herbalism. Teas, tinctures and bad-tasting supplements were always on hand, and colorful herb books filled our shelves. This, combined with my immersion in the local punk scene, made me crave the skills necessary to be totally self-reliant. Despite doing well in school, I skipped college and invested in a small library of books on everything from aromatherapy to homesteading.
At first, I didn’t intend to sell my creations. I made them as an alternative to store-bought synthetic products for myself, family and close friends. It wasn’t long before I was selling my herbal salves to the local health food store, funding my new-found hobby. I maintained a low-key presence at farmer's markets and craft fairs for the next four years, even while living off the grid in Northern California. When I found myself back in “the city,” I decided to take my most treasured recipes and reincarnate my products under the name Wild Rose.
Can you tell us more about the ingredients you use?Wild Rose is my response to an economy where the ecological, political, and social costs of manufacturing are veiled. I spend much of my time tracking down raw materials, packaging, and even office supplies to their source. This minimizes or eliminates the social, environmental, and ethical footprint of my products by choosing sources that are non-GMO, sustainably harvested, organic, or fair trade. I grow many of the fresh botanicals needed for my recipes just outside my workshop.
Are there any seasonal ingredients you're excited to experiment with as we go into the summer season?Right
now our rose bushes are incredibly productive. We collect fresh blooms
daily, leaving plenty for the bees and butterflies as well. The petals
are dried and powdered for use in our Attunement Facial Mask
and Bloom Muscle Rub. Calendula is another flower we grow heavily on
the farm. These I tincture fresh for our handmade calendula extract, a
vital ingredient for our face washes and Ink Spray Tattoo Aftercare.* Calendula is also dried for use in our
Wild Man Clean Shave Soap and Garden Carrot Hand Cream.* Summer is also time for collecting fresh yarrow,
rosemary, cayenne peppers, lavender and sage. Every year, we grow more
of our own botanicals right on the land.
Tell us about your studio setup.
We're incredibly lucky to operate out of a 400-square-foot workshop on our two-acre homestead in the heart of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. Most days I float between making products, computer work, and tending to the garden. I'm fortunate to have help from my mother and mother-in-law. The mom team helps me with packing orders, answering emails, and bulk bottling/labeling.
We're incredibly lucky to operate out of a 400-square-foot workshop on our two-acre homestead in the heart of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. Most days I float between making products, computer work, and tending to the garden. I'm fortunate to have help from my mother and mother-in-law. The mom team helps me with packing orders, answering emails, and bulk bottling/labeling.
When I get the chance to make a new product, I generally look through my "personal stash" for inspiration. All of my products started as a custom recipe for myself or a loved one. I then do an immense amount of research to get the very best ingredients available. The specific formulation of a product could be called intuitive. I tend to know exactly how many drops or milliliters of an ingredient will give me the result I want.
Tell us about working in Oregon. What brought you there and why do you stay?Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley is a hotspot for alternative entrepreneurs. I gain my inspiration from those who have come before me—the formidable, independent herbal and beauty companies who started right here. Of course, I believe the main reason this area is so full of successful, alternative businesses is due to our beautiful surroundings. Southern Oregon, part of the Klamath-Siskiyou Region, is known as a climate “melting pot” as we see the confluence of four different bioregions: North Pacific Coast, Cascades, Great Basin and California’s Central Valley. The people here are varied, but we all hold the same basic values: a focus on sustainability, a love of nature, and a desire to protect this critical bioregion for future generations.
What are some of your favorite Oregon spots? Can you divulge any secret swimming holes you love?Grants Pass is a pretty small town (a population of about 33,000) and the largest in the county! You’ll be hard pressed to find a restaurant open past 9pm. And if you’re looking to shop downtown on a Sunday or Monday—forget it! Grants Pass runs on its own schedule; even the cops hold banker’s hours. Most locals find entertainment outdoors, especially on the Rogue River, which runs right through downtown Grants Pass.
This area holds the largest concentration of intact watersheds in the Pacific Northwest, which means we also hold the largest concentrations of secret swimming holes! I’ve lived in the region for seven years, and I feel like I’ve only begun to explore the endless rivers, streams, and lakes. One of my favorites is on the Illinois River about six miles up Illinois River Road out of Selma. It’s a steep hike down the canyon, but a gentle and deep swimming hole awaits with plenty of jumping rocks.
A few more miles up this road you’ll find the infamous Illinois River foot bridge where daring locals take a 60-foot plunge in the river. Another favorite spot is actually north of Grants Pass along the Umpqua River. If you take Highway 138 East out of Roseburg, you’ll be treated to one of the most scenic and easily-accesible drives through the Cascades. There’s more waterfalls than one can visit within a day, plus the most epic natural hot springs near Toketee Falls.
*The original blog posted by UO had many errors regarding the botanicals included in our products. I have corrected the errors here for clarity and truthfulness.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Save 20% at our Summer Solstice Sale!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Battle of the Beards!
We had a blast at The Battle of the Beards! Congratulations to our grand champion, Damion, and his awesome mustache (and lederhosen!). We're incredibly grateful for The Rogue Valley Messenger for organizing such an awesome event, as well as The Rocky Tonk for hosting, the bands for playing and the judges, competitors and spectators for bringing the fun! This event helped raised funds for The Bee Girl Foundation - a pollinator education program based in the Rogue Valley.
We had our full Wild Man line available at our booth and loved meeting so many new friends. Plus, each competitor went home with some Wild Man goodies! Check out Uniquely Rogue's recap of the event below:
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Southern Oregon Battle of the Beards
Wild Rose is proud to sponsor Southern Oregon's First Annual Battle of the Beards! Join us this Saturday, June 8th between 12 and 8 at the Rocky Tonk Saloon in Medford. We'll be joining in the fun with plenty of prizes for contestants plus we'll have our full Wild Man line available for purchase.
This event is presented by The Rogue Valley Messenger and benefits The Bee Girl Foundation - an important pollinator education program!
The competition will have six facial hair categories including:
1. Gnarliest Full Natural Beard
2. Best Groomed Beard w/ Styled Mustache
3. Best Partial Natural Beard
4. Freestyle
5. Women's Freestyle
6. Best Mustache
Registration, prize and competition info is located on RogueValleyMessenger.com!
With music from Buckle Rash, The Legendary Goodtimes, and Ern Diggle & The Rattlers.
Whether your competing, supporting or spectating - be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!
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