Charlottesville Newcomers Club Tours Innisfree

Happy Newcomers Club Members during tour.

Yesterday members of The Community Outreach Committee of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville took a trip out to Innisfree Village in Crozet, Virginia.  Innisfree is a wonderful 550 acre community where intellectually disabled adults (coworkers) live with full-time residential volunteers and support staff.

The Community Center

Even though it was a sweltering day, it's just a little bit cooler at Innisfree which is located near White Hall in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountain range.

Herbal Soaps wrapped in felted Lambs Wool.

We were greeted by Nancy who took us on a tour of the village and introduced us to some of the residents who were busy weaving beautiful blankets, placemats, and scarves or preparing to plant 1,000 Sweet Potato starts.  It's not all work and no play, there is a really nice pool and many residents were preparing to jump in to cool off.

A cooks dream, Bloggett Ovens.

We visited the Bakery where Granola and Bread is baked.  It's complete with two massive commercial pizza ovens.  We also toured the wood shop where beautiful handmade wooden utensils and cutting boards were being assembled.

I'm always drawn to farm animals and herbs so I enjoyed seeing the free roaming Lambs and Chicken Coops complete with lots of Chickens.

Eggs and Granola can be purchased at Rebecca's Natural Food in Charlottesville.  We toured the Herb House were soaps are made and cut flowers are bundled to resell at the local Grocery, and the smell was divine.  Residents grow crops and flowers to enjoy and also to sell (some items can be purchased online).  Innisfree is quite a busy place.

Beautiful Peonies ready for the market.

The organizational purpose at Innisfree is "...to acknowledge the reciprocal relationship between human and health and the natural environment."  I guess that's why I'm so impressed with Innisfree, the environment is respected as are the human beings.

-Rebecca

Online Shopping from Virginia Etsy Sellers

From my shop, Golf Greats Coasters

There are some really wonderful items to be found on Etsy.  If you have never purchased an item from an Etsy Shop, let me provide you with a little background information.  Etsy basically provides a central online storefront to individual shop owners that exclusively sell vintage, handmade, or supplies to crafters.

Some really unique items can be found on Etsy... just about anything old or a unique new handmade item.  Etsy sellers are known to have a high customer satisfaction ratings.  My personal experience is that Etsy sellers are professional and eager to please.  I'm featuring a few items from Virginia sellers that I've met through selling on Etsy that sell unique items.

I love this set of 5 oil cans from Billie with Vintiques and More.  Put a little sand in one and it would make the cutest paperweight.  Add a little wooden "L" shape stand and it would make the best bookend.  All sorts of things can be done with these shabby chic cans.  Hard to find the days but made to last, a great Industrial find.  Billie and I opened our shops around the same time and chat often.  She runs her shop from Radford, Virginia and one of her items may be published soon in a major publication.  How neat is that!

Truffle Pig Vintage is a local Charlottesville Etsy Shop owner that specializes in beautiful silver and turquoise Jewelry pieces.  Diana is coaching me on how to improve my Facebook Business page (and boy do I need coaching in that area).  She has a lovely shop with vintage items that would make lovely Gifts!  What a memorable and cute shop name!  A special offer just for my readers, FREE SHIPPING through 5/12, use coupon code FHFSHIP on checkout.

I just love the imaginative Oh So Smitten on Etsy who creates wonderfully quirky invitations and art.  Christina is also a local Charlottesville artist that participates in our Cville Collective pinterest Online Shopping Board.  Created for local shoppers to find wares, saving you shipping fees. Live local, buy local -  meet the seller - see your item before purchase and shipping is FREE.

Lastly, Vintage Renude offers a mix of collectibles and a little bit of this and that but I especially like her clothing and linens.  I just dare you to try and find a black top with a feather neck!  Another participant in our Cville Collective pinterest Online Shopping Board, Pam is on the prowl for bringing finds to you.

Etsy offers such a wide mix of items so the next time you need a gift, funky find, invitation, or party wear go to Etsy.  I go here first to support fellow small business owners creative minds.

-Rebecca