Lovely Lavender Bath Recipe

Lovely Lavender - Enjoy this fabulous bath treat recipe!

We love lavender! Come and get yours at Lovely Manors.


Lavender is a both a beautiful and aromatic plant, and a great addition to any garden. Plant in a sunny spot and enjoy.


Lavender oil has many uses. For example, it was used to dress war wounds during the 1st world war medical antiseptics were in short supply. Today it is used to induce sleep, ease stress and relieve depression. It is also used as a tea, to make compresses for dressing wounds and to apply to the forehead to relieve congestion on sinuses, headaches, hangovers, tiredness, tension and exhaustion.


Harvest your lavender flowers, and dry by hanging upside down in an airy space. Once dried, you can use the flowers to create this sumptuous bath recipe.


This recipe contains lavender as a relaxant, as well as oatmeal and baking soda, which are soothing to dry, sensitive skin. With its healing properties, this is an ideal bath for calming bad sunburn or insect bites or just relaxing at the end of a busy day. Packaged inside a pretty jar or bottle it also makes a wonderful gift from the garden.


• 1 cup dried Lavender flowers (any species works)
• 2 cups whole oatmeal
• 1⁄2 cup baking soda


1. Place ingredients inside a food processor or blender. Grind until you have a smooth, fine powder. The powder should have the consistency of whole grain flour.


2. Pour into a dry, clean container. To use: Pour 1/2 cup into your bath as you fill the tub.


Makes approx. 28 ounces.

Jewelry Class Series - Spring/Summer

Jewelry Class Series - Spring/Summer

Get creative and join one of our fabulous Jewelry Classes here at Lovely Manors! Spend a relaxed day in the light and spacious gallery upstairs, learning how to make beautiful and unique jewelry under the guidance of experienced teacher, Dina Alexander.


Numbers are limited in each class so you get the most out of your day...so book early to avoid disappointment! Click on the class titles to go to our facebook page events section.


Saturday May 26^th -  PMC (Fine Silver) and Resin

9am-5pm.   

In this class you will learn how to make basic fine silver bezel cups to be able to add photographs, pictures, memorabilia, ephemera, found objects (such as shells, etc.) or something you would like to preserve under a protective resin to create one of a kind pieces of jewelry. 

We will start with a simple layer-type bezel and add a meaningful word, and then move on to a slightly more difficult bezel cup.  We will talk about layering designs to create a collage, or you can make it simple by adding a single design.

Note: Resin takes several hours to set and up to 72 hours to completely dry, so depending on the progress of the class, students may have to pick up their pieces the following day.

Levels: Intermediate. Some experience working with PMC is required.

Cost: $75.00. Tools and clay can be purchased at Lovely Manors if required. Let us know when
you book if you need PMC+ or tools for the class. Includes lunch.

What do I need to bring?  PMC+ 18 grams, rolling tool, texture plates and rubber stamps, Teflon,
round forms (for bezels), circle and other shape templates, sheet protector, playing cards (for clay
thickness), cutting tool (pins, tissue blades, playing cards, exacto knife, etc.), brushes (oil/water
and dusting). Small pictures (faces no larger than ½ inch), found objects, stamps, dictionary words and any texture you may want to use. The instructor will have limited items to choose from.


Sunday May 27th – PMC Ring

9am-5pm

Our fabulous jewelry class series with award winning PMC artist, Dina Alexander, continues with a great class, suitable for all levels of experience.

Make a stunning fine silver ring to treasure! Learn how to use PMC clay, design, make, finish and patina a unique piece of jewelry to be proud of.

The class is held in our gallery, so enjoy working in this airy, bright room and let your creative side loose!

Levels: All Levels – No previous experience required.

Cost : $130. Includes all tools and materials needed for the class.

 What do I need to bring?  Just your creativity! We provide everything you need, including lunch!


Saturday June 9th - Beaded & Wire Wrapped Necklace or Bracelet

10am-4pm

In this one day class you will learn how to wrap beads in wire and connect them to each other and use chain to create a sweet, fun and one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. You will learn wire wrapping, how to attach connections and findings. Time permitting and for a minimal additional fee, you can stamp and add personalized metal tags to give it an individual look. We will instruct on how to drill and stamp the metal. We will be using brass wire and chain to get you started so you can take those skills and apply them later to sterling silver wire and chain – if you’d prefer to use silver let us know – we can get them for you! The cost of silver PMC, wire and chain depend on market value).

Levels: All levels – No previous experience required.

Cost: $90. Includes all tools and materials needed for the class.

What do I need to bring? Just your creativity! We provide everything you need, including lunch.
Students can bring in antique buttons, coins or any other findings to add (all will be assessed to
see how they can be incorporated into your piece).

General Information

·         Classes are held in a log cabin, which is a great fun and inspiring environment to learn in, but it can be difficult to regulate the temperature inside, so we recommend that you wear comfortable layered clothing.

·         A deposit of $50 is required to secure a space in the class. Cancellation Policy: If you cancel at least 3 days prior to the class, a coupon for the amount paid (deposit or full amount) minus $10 will be given. A cancellation without 3 days notice can’t be refunded.

·         Food and drink is not permitted in the classroom. We don’t want to risk any spills in the work area! A comfortable room is provided if you need to take a break.

·         Latecomers: Please allow yourself plenty of time to get to class. Late arrivals make it difficult for all.

·         Lunch is included for all classes unless otherwise stated. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements/allergies.

·         The class is held upstairs, so if may be difficult to access if you are of limited mobility.

·         Class sizes are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Art in the Attic, the gallery upstairs at Lovely Manors

We're getting arty here at Lovely Manors! We have a great, light and sunny space upstairs (we call it our attic - it's the kind of attic you'd find some lovely treasure rather than the dark and cobwebby kind) so we decided to fill it with fabulous local art.

Each show runs for 8 weeks, with different artists or themes each time. It's been an interesting journey....running a gallery is time consuming and complicated! We've made a few mistakes along the way, but we're getting there!

At the moment we have a photography exhibit, with five local artists, each with their own unique style. Liz Brasser, Joyce Marino, Teresa Griffith, PattiCarol Smith and, last but not least, Tom Bowman have put on a fantastic show for us - with photographs from here in Maryland, to the Northern Lights in Alaska and even the canals of Amsterdam. This show ends on Sunday 27th May so come and see it!

Quite a few customers have come to the gallery and remarked what  a stunning makeover our attic has undergone. The space is light, full of character and just great for showing art! We're very happy with how it has turned out.

The next show opens on Saturday June 2nd, with the title 'Maryland in the Mirror'.  We have been lucky to secure artists David Sutphen, of Butler Originals (see a sneak peek of one of his paintings below, click on the photo to go to the Butler Originals Facebook page).

Also scheduled to show is renowned artist and teacher, Jill Dodson.

We are looking forward to hosting these fantastic artists, whose work reflects what we love most about Maryland.

Join us for the opening party on Saturday June 2nd, 7-10pm, with live music in the garden from live band Steam Theory. It's going to be a great night!

Binchotan Charcoal is here! A great new natural wellness product.

Binchotan Charcoal for Wellness.

Binchotan charcoal is a fabulous natural product with many uses and a growing following. It is believed to absorb chemicals in tap water, improve blood circulation when placed in a hot bath, neutralize negative ions in the home and improve the quality of soil in the garden.

We stock Binchotan charcoal, toothbrushes, face puffs and body scrub towels.

100% natural, Kishu Binchotan is known as the best quality charcoal for purifying water (it is made in the Kishu region of Japan). Binchotan charcoal is activated through an extremely high burning temperature and rapid cooling process. It absorbs chlorine and other chemicals from drinking water while releasing natural minerals into it. Binchotan has an alkaline effect (pH Level 8 -8.5), it softens and improves the overall taste of water.

Wet use: Prior to first use, rinse Binchotan with water, scrub lightly, and boil for ten minutes. Since the charcoal has been prewashed, do not ignite it. Once cleaned, the charcoal is ready to use in a pitcher of water, your bath, or for cooking rice. After the first use, repeat this cleansing process weekly or, alternatively, leave the charcoal in direct sun for several hours. With wet usage, Binchotan will last approximately three months.

Dry use: Every two weeks, brush Binchotan lightly and leave it in direct sunlight for several hours. It can be used all over your home, and with dry usage will last for around three years.

Great Uses for Binchotan

1. To purify drinking water, add 1/4 pound of Binchotan to a pitcher of tap water. The charcoal will help release ions to increase the water's pH, release natural minerals, and absorb chemicals.

2. For a purifying bath, add approximately one pound of Binchotan to hot bathwater. Infrared rays emitted by the charcoal will help enhance blood circulation and keep the body warm and relaxed long after the bath.

3. Keep dry Binchotan by electrical appliances like the television, microwave, computer, or mobile phone, to help block harmful electromagnetic waves.

4. To keep closets, drawers, and refrigerators fresh from odor, dampness, and mold, a stick of dry Binchotan can be kept inside to absorb bacteria and unpleasant scents.

6. Once your Binchotan has reached the end of its indoor use, improve soil health by recycling it in the garden. Mix broken pieces of charcoal into new soil, or apply it over a garden bed to improve the movement of air and water through the soil. This transformation will help increase microbial activity, alkalize the soil, and reinforce trace elements; creating an optimal environment for healthy plants

One of the products in the range we are excited about is the Binchotan Facial Puff, which is made from the roots of pure vegetable fiber called Konjac (an edible plant) and the micro-fine powder of Binchotan charcoal. This 100% natural sponge gently exfoliates, cleanses, moisturizes, and effectively balances your skin’s pH level. Simply soak it in water for a few minutes and it is ready to use. The extra fine texture is ideal for even the most sensitive skin & baby skin.

So far, we have tried and tested both the facial scrub and the Binchotan toothbrush, which we LOVE! The black bristles are really different….they are blended with Binchotan, which helps fight plaque and neutralize pH, freshening breath. The charcoal also helps prevent bacteria growing on your brush when you're not using it. Try it!